View source for Nairobi

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Kenya}}
{{About|the city in Kenya|the county in which it resides|Nairobi City County|other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Nairobi
| native_name = 
| official_name = 
| settlement_type = [[List of cities and towns in Kenya by population|Consolidated city-county]]
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
 | border        = infobox
 | total_width   = 270
 | perrow        = 1/2/2/2/2
 | caption_align = center
 | image1        = Nairobi skyline from Gem Hotel.jpg
 | caption1      = Skyline of Nairobi and the [[Karura Forest]]
 | image2        = Kenyatta International Convention Centre 02.jpg
 | caption2      = [[Kenyatta International Convention Centre|KICC]]
 | image3        = The Nairobi Expressway in Chiromo.jpg
 | caption3      = [[Nairobi Expressway]]
 | image4        = External views of the Nairobi National Museum 05.jpg
 | caption4      = [[National Museums of Kenya]]
 | image5        = Lascar Statue of Dedan Kimathi Waciuri (4540820430).jpg
 | caption5      = [[Dedan Kimathi]] Statue
 | image6        = UAP Towers seen from Uhuru Park, Nairobi.jpg
 | caption6      = [[Uhuru Park]]
| image7         = Karen Blixen House and Museum, Nairobi, KE.jpg
| caption7       = [[Karen Blixen Museum, Kenya|Karen Blixen Museum]]
| image8         = Britam Tower Nairobi Kenya Night.jpg
| caption8       = [[Britam Tower]]
| image9         = SAFARI AT THE NATIONAL PARK (20).png
| caption9       = [[Nairobi National Park]]
}}
| image size = 
| image_flag = Flag of Nairobi.svg
| flag_size = 100px
| image_shield = Coat of Arms of Nairobi.svg
| shield_size = 90px
| nickname = "The Green City under the Sun"
| map_caption = Location of Nairobi#Location within Africa
| pushpin_map = Kenya#Horn of Africa#Africa
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Kenya
| pushpin_relief = yes
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-id = Q3870
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Kenya}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Kenya|County]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Nairobi City County|Nairobi City]]
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = {{start date and age|1899|df=y}}
<!-- Smaller parts (e.g. boroughs of a city) and seat of government -->| seat_type = 
| seat = 
| parts_type = [[Sub-Counties of Kenya|Sub-counties]]
| parts_style = 
| parts = List
| p1 = [[Dagoretti]]
| p2 = [[Embakasi]]
| p3 = [[Lang'ata Constituency#Lang'ata Sub-county|Lang'ata]]
| p4 = [[Kamukunji Constituency#Kamukunji Sub-county|Kamukunji]]
| p5 = [[Kasarani Constituency#Kasarani Sub-county|Kasarani]]
| p6 = [[Kibra Constituency#Kibra Sub-county|Kibra]]
| p7 = [[Makadara Constituency#Makadara Sub-county|Makadara]]
| p8 = [[Mathare Constituency (2013)#Mathare Sub-county|Mathare]]
| p9 = [[Njiru, Nairobi#Njiru Sub-county|Njiru]]
| p10 = [[Starehe Constituency#Starehe Sub-county|Starehe]]
| p11 = [[Westlands Constituency#Sub-county|Westlands]]
| governing_body = [[Nairobi County|Nairobi City County]]
| leader_title = Legislature
| leader_name = [[Nairobi County|County Assembly]]
| leader_title1 = [[County Governors of Kenya|Governor]]
| leader_name1 = [[Johnson Sakaja]]
| area_footnotes = {{Efn|Some sources indicate Nairobi has an area of {{convert|703.9|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Nairobi County|url=http://countytrak.infotrakresearch.com/nairobi-county/|website=Infotrak|accessdate=8 November 2022|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108202809/http://countytrak.infotrakresearch.com/nairobi-county/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/nairobi-population |title=Nairobi Population 2022 |work=World Population Review |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529154047/https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/nairobi-population |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 696.1
| area_land_km2 = 
| area_water_km2 = 
| population_as_of = 2019
| population_footnotes = <ref name=currentpop>{{cite web |url=https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-and-housing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-sub-county |title=2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County |publisher=knbs.or.ke |access-date=7 November 2019 |archive-date=13 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113191208/https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-and-housing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-sub-county |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| population_urban = 4,397,073
| population_metro = 
| population_rank = [[List_of_cities_and_towns_in_Kenya_by_population|1st]]
| population_total = 4,397,073
| population_density_km2 = auto
| pop_est_as_of = 2024
| pop_est_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/2019-kphc-analytical-report-on-population-projections-vol-xvi/|title=2019 KPHC – Analytical Report on Population Projections Vol XVI|access-date=29 February 2024|date=September 2022|website=Kenya National Bureau of Statistics|page=38|archive-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204110524/https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/2019-kphc-analytical-report-on-population-projections-vol-xvi/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_est = 4,828,000
| population_demonym = Nairobian
| demographics_type1 = GDP (PPP)
| demographics1_title1 = [[GDP|Total]]
| demographics1_info1 = <small>''City ''</small>{{ increase }} $91.0 B ([[List of counties of Kenya by GCP|1st]])
<small>''Metro''</small> $150B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.knbs.or.ke/gross-county-product/ |title=GCP |access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = [[GDP|Per Capita]]
| demographics1_info2 = {{increase }} $18,958  ([[List of counties of Kenya by GCP|1st]])
| demographics_type2 = GDP (nominal)|
| demographics2_title1 = [[GDP|Total]]
| demographics2_info1 = <small>''City ''</small>{{increase}} $35 billion ([[List of counties of Kenya by GCP|1st]])
<small>''Metro '' </small>$106B|
| demographics2_title2 = [[GDP|Per Capita]]
| demographics2_info2 = {{increase}} $7,291  ([[List of counties of Kenya by GCP|1st]])
| area_code = 020
| timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset = +03:00
| mapframe-zoom = 9
| coordinates = {{coord|01|17|11|S|36|49|02|E|region:KE|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft = 5889
| elevation_m = 1795
| footnotes = 
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2022)
| blank_info_sec1 = 0.771<ref>{{cite web | url=https://statskenya.co.ke/at-stats-kenya/about/human-development-index-in-kenya-hdi-by-county/114/ | title=Human Development Index in Kenya – HDI by County }}</ref>{{ font color | green| |high}}
| blank1_name_sec1 = Climate
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Oceanic climate|Cwb]]
| website = {{URL|https://nairobi.go.ke}}
}}
'''Nairobi''' ({{IPAc-en|n|aɪ|ˈ|r|oʊ|b|i||audio=Swa-nairobi.ogg}} {{respell|ny|ROH|bee}}) is the [[Capital city|capital]] and largest city of [[Kenya]], located in the south-central part of the country. As of 2024, it has a population of 4.8 million and a metropolitan population of 5.7 million,<ref>{{Cite Web|title=Nairobi Metropolitan Population|publisher=Macrotrends|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/21711/nairobi/population|accessdate=2025-09-17}}</ref> making it the [[List of cities in Africa by population|8th most populous city]] in [[Africa]]. Nicknamed the "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi is uniquely notable for being the only capital city in the world that hosts a [[Nairobi National Park|national park]] within its boundaries. Its name originates from the [[Maasai language|Maasai]] phrase ''Enkare Nyirobi'', meaning "place of cool waters".

As the national capital, Nairobi is home to the [[Parliament Buildings (Kenya)|Kenyan Parliament Buildings]], the [[State House, Nairobi|State House]] and the [[Supreme Court of Kenya|Supreme Court Building]]. It is the major financial and economic hub of [[East Africa]], hosting thousands of Kenyan businesses and international companies and organisations, including the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UN Environment) and the [[United Nations Office at Nairobi]] (UNON). The [[Nairobi Securities Exchange]] (NSE) is one of the largest [[stock exchange]]s in Africa and the second-oldest exchange on the continent. It is Africa's fourth-largest stock exchange by trading volume, capable of processing 10 million trades a day. Nairobi is considered a [[global city]] and was ranked as a "Beta World City" by the [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|Globalisation and World Cities Research Network]] as of 2024.

Nairobi was founded in 1898 by colonial authorities in [[British East Africa]], as a rail depot on the [[Uganda#Railroad|Uganda]]–[[Rail transport in Kenya|Kenya Railway.]] The authorities favoured it as an ideal resting place due to its [[Montane ecosystems|high elevation]], [[temperate climate]], and adequate water supply.<ref name="Greenway2">Roger S. Greenway, Timothy M. Monsma, ''Cities: missions' new frontier'', (Baker Book House: 1989), p.163.</ref> The town quickly grew to replace [[Mombasa]] as the capital of Kenya in 1907.<ref>{{cite web |last=mombasa.go.ke |date=2018-07-28 |title=History of Mombasa |url=http://www.mombasa.go.ke/history-of-mombasa/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126151126/http://www.mombasa.go.ke/history-of-mombasa/ |archive-date=26 January 2021 |access-date=14 June 2019 |publisher=Mombasa County}}</ref>

After independence in 1963, Nairobi became the capital of the [[Kenya|Republic of Kenya]].<ref>{{cite web |last= |title=Nairobi History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nairobi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211213417/https://www.britannica.com/place/Nairobi |archive-date=11 December 2019 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=Britannica}}</ref> During Kenya's early period, the city became a centre for the [[coffee]], [[tea]] and [[sisal]] industries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Production |url=http://www.eastafricasisal.com/production/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722121011/http://www.eastafricasisal.com/production/ |archive-date=22 July 2020 |access-date=2020-05-24 |website=East Africa Sisal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rashid |first=Mahbub |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iuh6DAAAQBAJ&q=During+Kenya%27s+colonial+period%2C+the+city+became+a+centre+for+the+colony%27s+coffee%2C+tea+and+sisal+industry&pg=PA374 |title=The Geometry of Urban Layouts: A Global Comparative Study |date=2016-06-16 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-30750-3 |language=en}}</ref> Successive post-independence governments have built and turned Nairobi into a modern metropolitan city with a diverse population and a growing economy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nairobi, Kenya {{!}} History Timeline |url=https://historytimelines.co/timeline/nairobi-kenya |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=History Timelines |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Nairobi}}

{{For timeline}}{{Summary style|section=section|date=May 2026}}

===Early years===
[[File:Nairobi 18 99.jpg|thumb|Nairobi in 1899]]
The site of Nairobi was originally a swamp land occupied by a [[Pastoralism|pastoralist]] people, the [[Maasai people|Maasai]], the long-distance trader community, [[Kamba people|Akamba People]], as well as the [[agriculturalist]] [[Kikuyu people]].<ref name="ReferenceB">Donald B. Freeman, City of Farmers: Informal Urban Agriculture in the Open Spaces of Nairobi, Kenya, McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP, 1 March 1991</ref> The name Nairobi comes from the [[Maasai language|Maasai]] expression meaning 'cool waters'. referring to the cold water stream which flowed through the area.<ref>Frédéric Landy, From Urban National Parks to Natured Cities in the Global South: The Quest for Naturbanity, Springer, 20 Jul 2018, p.50</ref> With the arrival of the [[Uganda Railway]], the site was identified by [[George Whitehouse|Sir George Whitehouse]] for a store depot, shunting ground and camping ground for the [[Indians in Kenya|Indian]] labourers working on the railway.<ref name="Anne-Marie Deisser 2016, p.76">Anne-Marie Deisser, Mugwima Njuguna, Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Kenya, UCL Press, 7 Oct 2016, p.76</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=United Nations University |title=Nairobi: National capital and regional hub |publisher=unu.edu |url=http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu26ue/uu26ue0o.htm |access-date=17 June 2007 |archive-date=9 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609014131/http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu26ue/uu26ue0o.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Whitehouse, chief engineer of the railway, favoured the site as an ideal resting place due to its high elevation, temperate climate, adequate water supply and being situated before the steep ascent of the [[Limuru]] [[escarpments]].<ref name="Anne-Marie Deisser 2016, p.76">Anne-Marie Deisser, Mugwima Njuguna, Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Kenya, UCL Press, 7 Oct 2016, p.76</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=United Nations University |title=Nairobi: National capital and regional hub |publisher=unu.edu |url=http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu26ue/uu26ue0o.htm |access-date=17 June 2007 |archive-date=9 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609014131/http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu26ue/uu26ue0o.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His choice was criticised by officials within the [[East Africa Protectorate|Protectorate]] government who felt the site was too flat, poorly drained and relatively infertile.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>

[[File:The entrance to the Nairobi Railway Station in 1899.jpg|thumb|The entrance to Nairobi railway station in 1899]] 
In the pre-colonial era, the people of modern Kenya mostly lived in villages amongst their tribes and cultural groups, where they had rulers within their communities rather than one singular government or leader.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tignor |first1=Robert L. |title=Colonial Chiefs in Chiefless Societies |journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies |date=1971 |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=339–359 |doi=10.1017/S0022278X00025131 |jstor=159669 |s2cid=154551781 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/159669 |access-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407205902/https://www.jstor.org/stable/159669 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1898, Arthur Church was commissioned to design the first town layout for the railway depot. It constituted two streets – [[Tom Mboya Street|Victoria Street]] and [[Moi Avenue (Nairobi)|Station Street]], ten avenues, staff quarters and an Indian commercial area.<ref name="Anne-Marie Deisser 2016, p.76"/> The railway arrived at Nairobi on 30 May 1899, and soon Nairobi replaced Machakos as the headquarters of the provincial administration for the Ukamba province.<ref>Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, ''Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 303</ref><ref>The Eastern Africa Journal of Historical and Social Sciences Research, Volume 1, Indiana University, 8 Publishers, 1996</ref> 

On the arrival of the railway, Whitehouse remarked that "Nairobi itself will in the course of the next two years become a large and flourishing place and already there are many applications for sites for hotels, shops and houses."<ref name="Anne-Marie Deisser 2016, p.76"/> The town's early years were however beset with problems of [[malaria]] leading to at least one attempt to have the town moved.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/2009/12/the-inconvenient-truth-about-malaria/|title=The inconvenient truth about malaria|last=Reiter|first=Paul|date=5 December 2009|work=Spectator|access-date=25 July 2016|archive-date=18 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218091605/http://www.spectator.co.uk/2009/12/the-inconvenient-truth-about-malaria/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the early 1900s, Bazaar Street, now Biashara Street, was completely rebuilt after an outbreak of [[Bubonic plague|plague]] and the burning of the original town.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://owaahh.com/meet-the-man-who-saved-nairobi-from-the-bubonic-plague/|title=The man who saved Nairobi from the Bubonic Plague – Owaahh|date=16 April 2014|work=Owaahh|access-date=19 January 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120065811/http://owaahh.com/meet-the-man-who-saved-nairobi-from-the-bubonic-plague/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 1902 and 1910, the town's population rose from 5,000 to 16,000 and grew around [[Public administration|administration]] and tourism, initially in the form of [[big game hunting]].<ref name="Sana Aiyar 2015, p.42">Sana Aiyar, Indians in Kenya: The Politics of Diaspora, Harvard University Press, 2015, p.42</ref> In 1907, Nairobi replaced [[Mombasa]] as the capital of the East Africa Protectorate.<ref>Claire C. Robertson, Trouble Showed the Way: Women, Men, and Trade in the Nairobi Area, 1890–1990, Indiana University Press, 1997, p.16</ref> In 1919, Nairobi was declared to be a municipality.<ref>{{cite book |last=Merriam-Webster, Inc |title=Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster]] |year=1997 |page=786 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GN9UQMuNQNkC&pg=PA786 |isbn=0-87779-546-0 }}</ref><ref>Britannica,
[https://www.britannica.com/place/Nairobi Nairobi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618141956/https://www.britannica.com/place/Nairobi |date=18 June 2019 }}, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019</ref>

===Growth===
In 1921, Nairobi had 24,000 residents, of which circa 12,000 were native Africans.<ref name="ReferenceA">Garth Andrew Myers, Verandahs of Power: Colonialism and Space in Urban Africa, Syracuse University Press, 2003</ref> The next decade saw growth in native African communities in Nairobi, and they began to constitute a majority for the first time.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> This growth caused planning issues, described by Thorntorn White and his planning team as the "Nairobi Problem".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Martin |first1=A. M. |last2=Bezemer |first2=P. M. |year=2020 |title=The concept and planning of public native housing estates in Nairobi/Kenya, 1918- 1948. |url=https://atom.lib.uct.ac.za/index.php/thornton-white-leonard-william |journal=Planning Perspectives |volume=35 |issue=4 |pages=609–634 |bibcode=2020PlPer..35..609M |doi=10.1080/02665433.2019.1602785 |s2cid=150702513 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022233148/https://atom.lib.uct.ac.za/index.php/thornton-white-leonard-william |archive-date=22 October 2020 |doi-access=free|hdl=11370/e9e3efbb-1753-41d6-a17a-c08d0f68f771 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> In February 1926, colonial officer Eric Dutton passed through Nairobi on his way to [[Mount Kenya]], and said of the city:
{{Blockquote|Maybe one day Nairobi will be laid out with tarred roads, with avenues of flowering trees, flanked by noble buildings; with open spaces and stately squares; a cathedral worthy of faith and country; museums and art; theatres and public offices. And it is fair to say that the Government and the Municipality have already bravely tackled the problem and that a town-plan ambitious enough to turn Nairobi into a thing of beauty has been slowly worked out, and much has already been done. But until that plan has borne fruit, Nairobi must remain what she was then, a slatternly creature, unfit to queen it over so lovely a country.<ref name=Dutton>{{cite book |last=Dutton |first=E. A. T. |others=Introduction by Hilaire Belloc |title=Kenya Mountain |orig-year=1929 |edition=1 |year=1929 |publisher=Jonathan Cape |location=London |pages=1–2 |chapter=1 }}</ref>
}}

After [[World War II]], continuous expansion of the city angered both the indigenous [[Maasai people|Maasai]] and [[Kikuyu people|Kikuyu]].<ref>Elkins,&nbsp; Caroline.&nbsp; Britain's Gulag: The Brutal End of Empire in Kenya.&nbsp;United Kingdom,&nbsp;Pimlico,&nbsp;2005.</ref> This led to the [[Mau Mau Uprising]] in the 1950s, and the [[Lancaster House Conferences (Kenya)|Lancaster House Conferences]], which initiated a transition to Kenyan independence in 1963.

In the spring of 1950, the East African Trades Union Congress (EAUTC) led a [[1950 Nairobi general strike|nine-day general strike]] in the city.<ref name="cotu-kenya">{{cite web|title=History of COTU(K) – Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K)|url=https://cotu-kenya.org/history-of-cotuk/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=cotu-kenya.org|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109203033/https://cotu-kenya.org/history-of-cotuk/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="libcom">{{cite web|title=The Nairobi General Strike, 1950: From Protest to Insurgency|url=https://libcom.org/library/nairobi-general-strike-1950-protest-insurgency|access-date=2021-08-25|website=libcom.org|archive-date=20 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620004614/https://libcom.org/library/nairobi-general-strike-1950-protest-insurgency|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Post independence===
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Zicht op Nairobi met op de voorgrond het stadspark met tribune TMnr 20014416.jpg|thumb|Nairobi in 1973]]
Nairobi remained Kenya's capital after independence, and its continued rapid growth put pressure on the city's infrastructure, with power cuts and [[Water scarcity|water shortages]] becoming a common occurrence.

In September 1973, the [[Kenyatta International Conference Centre]] (KICC) was opened to the public. The 28-story building at the time was designed by the Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nøstvik and Kenyan David Mutiso. It is the only building within the city with a helipad that is open to the public. Of the buildings built in the Seventies, the KICC was the most eco-friendly and most environmentally conscious structure. Its main frame was constructed with locally available materials like gravel, sand, cement and wood, and it had wide open spaces which allowed for natural aeration and lighting. Cuboids made up the plenary hall, the tower consisted of a cylinder composed of several cuboids, and the amphitheatre and helipad both resembled cones. The tower was built around a concrete core, and it had no walls but glass windows, which allowed for maximum natural lighting. It had the largest halls in eastern and central Africa.<ref>[http://kicc.co.ke/about/ourhistory "Our History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307001156/http://kicc.co.ke/about/ourhistory |date=7 March 2017 }}, The Kenyatta International Convention Centre.</ref>

In 1972, the [[World Bank]] approved funds for further expansion of the then Nairobi Airport (now [[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport]]), including a new international and domestic passenger terminal building, the airport's first dedicated cargo and freight terminal, new taxiways, associated aprons, internal roads, car parks, police and fire stations, a State Pavilion, airfield and roadway lighting, fire hydrant system, water, electrical, telecommunications and sewage systems, a dual carriageway passenger access road, security, drainage and the building of the main access road to the airport (Airport South Road). The cost of the project was more than US$29 million, US$111.8 million in 2013 dollars.<ref name="nairobiairport">{{cite web | title=Nairobi Airport Project | url=http://www.worldbank.org/projects/P001235/nairobi-airport-project?lang=en | publisher=The World Bank | access-date=7 August 2013 | archive-date=17 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317022637/http://www.worldbank.org/projects/P001235/nairobi-airport-project?lang=en | url-status=live }}</ref> On 14 March 1978, construction of the terminal building was completed on the other side of the airport's single runway and opened by President [[Jomo Kenyatta]] less than five months before his death. The airport was renamed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in memory of its first president.

The [[Giraffe Centre]], an animal sanctuary on the southwestern outskirts of Nairobi, was opened in 1983. It breeds the endangered [[Rothschild's giraffe]].

The United States Embassy, then located in downtown Nairobi, was bombed in August 1998 by [[Al-Qaeda]] and the [[Egyptian Islamic Jihad]], as one of a series of [[1998 United States embassy bombings|US embassy bombings]]. It is now the site of a memorial park.<ref>{{cite web |last=United States Embassy |title=Quiet Memorials Mark Fourth Anniversary of Embassy Bombing |publisher=usembassy.gov |url=http://www.usembassy.gov/nairobi/wwwhrann.html |access-date=17 June 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===21st century===
[[File:Nairobi Skyline from BBC Studios.jpg|thumb|Nairobi showing Fedha Towers, ICEA Building, the Nairobi Safari Club and Anniversary Towers]]
In October 2011, a memorial statue was unveiled in Nairobi in memory of [[Tom Mboya]], a former Kenyan Independence politician and assassination victim.

In November 2012, President [[Mwai Kibaki]] opened the KES 31 billion Thika Superhighway. This mega-project in Kenya started in 2009 and ended in 2011. It involved expanding the four-lane carriageway to eight lanes, building underpasses, providing interchanges at roundabouts, erecting flyovers and building underpasses to ease congestion. The 50.4-kilometre road was built in three phases: Uhuru Highway to Muthaiga Roundabout; Muthaiga Roundabout to [[Kenyatta University]] and; Kenyatta University to [[Thika Town Constituency|Thika Town]].<ref>[http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Kibaki-to-officially-open-Sh30bn-Thika-superhighway/1056-1612572-eg30pcz/index.html "Kibaki to officially open Sh30bn Thika superhighway"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510145843/http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Kibaki-to-officially-open-Sh30bn-Thika-superhighway/1056-1612572-eg30pcz/index.html |date=10 May 2017 }}, ''The Nation'', 5 November 2012.</ref>

In May 2017, President [[Uhuru Kenyatta]] inaugurated the Standard Gauge Railway, which connects Nairobi to Mombasa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kenya inaugurates new Chinese-funded railway |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/5/31/kenya-inaugurates-new-chinese-funded-railway |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609005539/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/5/31/kenya-inaugurates-new-chinese-funded-railway |url-status=live }}</ref> It was primarily built by a Chinese firm with about 90% of total funding from China and about 10% from the Kenyan government. A second phase is also being built, which will link [[Naivasha]] to the existing route and also the [[Uganda]] border.

In August 2020, Nairobi County Assembly Speaker [[Beatrice Elachi]] resigned.<ref name="1R">{{cite web |date=11 August 2020 |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/counties/Nairobi-County-Speaker-Beatrice-Elachi-resigns/4003142-5607116-1413rf2/index.html |title=Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi resigns |newspaper=[[Business Daily Africa]] |author=Bonface Otieno |access-date=22 December 2020 |location=Nairobi |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129220449/https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/counties/Nairobi-County-Speaker-Beatrice-Elachi-resigns/4003142-5607116-1413rf2/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2020, recently elected<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/56119/is-former-nairobi-governor-mike-sonkos-career-finished-now-he-has-been-impeached/|title=Kenya: Can former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko make a comeback?|first=Morris|last=Kiruga|publisher=The Africa Report|date=22 December 2020|access-date=22 December 2020|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222133941/https://www.theafricareport.com/56119/is-former-nairobi-governor-mike-sonkos-career-finished-now-he-has-been-impeached/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura was sworn in as acting Nairobi Governor four days after the previous Nairobi Governor [[Mike Sonko]] was impeached and removed from office.<ref name=nodeputy>{{cite news|url=https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/assembly-speaker-benson-mutura-sworn-in-as-acting-nairobi-governor|title=Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura sworn in as Acting Nairobi Governor – VIDEO|first=Collins|last=Omulo|publisher=Nairobi News|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=21 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221093039/https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/assembly-speaker-benson-mutura-sworn-in-as-acting-nairobi-governor|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the time of Mutura's swearing in as acting Governor, which he will hold for at least 60 days, Nairobi did not have a Deputy Governor as well.<ref name=nodeputy />

=== Recent Developments ===
Nairobi has seen several major infrastructure projects in recent years. The ''' Nairobi Expressway''', completed in 2022, was developed to reduce traffic congestion along Mombasa Road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Nairobi Expressway |url=https://nairobiexpressway.ke |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=nairobiexpressway.ke}}</ref> In 2021, the '''Green Park Bus Terminal''', part of efforts to improve public transport, began operations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-01 |title=Governor Sakaja commissions Green Park Terminus |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/governor-sakaja-commissions-green-park-terminus-4040016 |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> In line with the Kenyan government's '''Affordable Housing Program''', various housing developments are underway to accommodate the city's growing population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-27 |title=Affordable Housing – Kenya News Agency |url=https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/category/house/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Nairobi, Kenya.JPG|thumb|A satellite view of Nairobi, 2004]]

Nairobi is situated at {{Coord|1|09|S|36|39|E|display=inline|name=Nairobi, Kenya}} and {{Coord|1|27|S|37|06|E|display=inline|name=Nairobi, Kenya}} and occupies {{convert|696|km2|sqmi|-1}}.

Nairobi is situated between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa. As Nairobi is adjacent to the eastern edge of the [[Kenya Rift Valley|Rift Valley]], minor earthquakes and tremors occasionally occur. The [[Ngong Hills]], located to the west of the city, are the most prominent geographical feature of the Nairobi area. [[Mount Kenya]] is situated north of Nairobi, and [[Mount Kilimanjaro]] is towards the south-east.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hein |first=Lori |title=Nairobi by Degrees |url=https://www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0506/hein.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914180721/https://www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0506/hein.html |archive-date=2024-09-14 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=Perceptive Travel}}</ref>

The [[Nairobi River]] and its [[Tributary|tributaries]] traverse through the Nairobi County and join the larger River Athi on the eastern edge of the county.

[[Nobel Peace Prize]] laureate [[Wangari Maathai]] fought fiercely to save the indigenous [[Karura Forest]] in northern Nairobi, which was under threat of being replaced by housing and other infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web |last=The East African |title=Karura: Are We Missing the Trees for the Forest? |publisher=nationmedia.com |date=2 November 1998 |url=http://www.nationaudio.com/News/EastAfrican/0211/Opinion/Opinion3.html |access-date=14 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927014609/http://www.nationaudio.com/News/EastAfrican/0211/Opinion/Opinion3.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref>

Nairobi's western suburbs stretch all the way from the Kenyatta National Hospital in the south to the UN headquarters at Gigiri suburb in the north, a distance of about {{convert|20|km|mi|0}}. The city is centred on the City Square, which is located in the Central Business District. The [[National Assembly of Kenya|Kenyan Parliament]] buildings, the [[Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, Nairobi|Holy Family Cathedral]], Nairobi City Hall, Nairobi Law Courts, and the [[Kenyatta International Convention Centre|Kenyatta Convention Centre]] all surround the square.

===Climate===
[[File:Rain clouds forming Nairobi.jpg|thumb|Rain clouds over estates, December 2019]]
Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Nairobi has a [[Oceanic climate|subtropical highland climate]] (Cwb). At {{convert|1795|m|ft|0}} above sea level, evenings may be cool, especially in the June/July season, when the temperature can drop to {{convert|9|C|F|0}}. The sunniest and warmest part of the year is from December to March, when temperatures average in the high-twenties [[Celsius]] during the day. The mean maximum temperature for this period is {{convert|28|C|F|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=United Nations |title=Travel and Visa Information |publisher=unhabitat.org |url=http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=546&cid=4939 |access-date=20 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034058/http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=546&cid=4939 |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

There are rainy seasons, but rainfall can be moderate. The cloudiest part of the year is just after the first rainy season, when, until September, conditions are usually overcast with drizzle. As Nairobi is situated close to the equator, the differences between the seasons are minimal. The seasons are referred to as the [[wet season]] and [[dry season]]. The timing of sunrise and sunset varies little throughout the year for the same reason.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gaisma |title=Nairobi, Kenya – Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times, table |publisher=gaisma.com |url=http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/nairobi.html |access-date=22 June 2007 |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303001001/http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/nairobi.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Weather box
| location = Nairobi ([[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport]]), elevation {{convert|1615|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1961–1990, 1999–present)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| collapsed = yes
| Jan record high C = 32.2
| Feb record high C = 33.6
| Mar record high C = 32.5
| Apr record high C = 32.2
| May record high C = 32.4
| Jun record high C = 29.0
| Jul record high C = 29.4
| Aug record high C = 32.2
| Sep record high C = 32.5
| Oct record high C = 35.7
| Nov record high C = 32.2
| Dec record high C = 32.2
| year record high C = 
| Jan high C = 26.9
| Feb high C = 27.4
| Mar high C = 28.0
| Apr high C = 26.2
| May high C = 24.9
| Jun high C = 23.7
| Jul high C = 23.6
| Aug high C = 24.1
| Sep high C = 26.3
| Oct high C = 26.9
| Nov high C = 25.3
| Dec high C = 25.8
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 20.5
| Feb mean C = 20.8
| Mar mean C = 21.6
| Apr mean C = 20.8
| May mean C = 19.8
| Jun mean C = 18.5
| Jul mean C = 17.7
| Aug mean C = 18.2
| Sep mean C = 19.4
| Oct mean C = 20.6
| Nov mean C = 19.9
| Dec mean C = 19.7
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 14.1
| Feb low C = 14.1
| Mar low C = 15.1
| Apr low C = 15.4
| May low C = 14.8
| Jun low C = 13.1
| Jul low C = 11.9
| Aug low C = 12.5
| Sep low C = 12.9
| Oct low C = 14.3
| Nov low C = 15.4
| Dec low C = 14.8
| year low C = 
| Jan record low C = 3.2
| Feb record low C = 5.8
| Mar record low C = 7.2
| Apr record low C = 9.8
| May record low C = 6.3
| Jun record low C = 6.1
| Jul record low C = 2.8
| Aug record low C = 4.4
| Sep record low C = 4.2
| Oct record low C = 5.4
| Nov record low C = 7.8
| Dec record low C = 5.3
| year record low C = 
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 57.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 36.2
| Mar precipitation mm = 74.7
| Apr precipitation mm = 130.2
| May precipitation mm = 108.9
| Jun precipitation mm = 28.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 10.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 18.5
| Sep precipitation mm = 16.9
| Oct precipitation mm = 50.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 130.6
| Dec precipitation mm = 85.4
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 4.4
| Feb precipitation days = 3.5
| Mar precipitation days = 7.1
| Apr precipitation days = 10.7
| May precipitation days = 8.9
| Jun precipitation days = 3.6
| Jul precipitation days = 1.8
| Aug precipitation days = 2.2
| Sep precipitation days = 2.3
| Oct precipitation days = 6.4
| Nov precipitation days = 13.8
| Dec precipitation days = 7.3
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan humidity = 69
| Feb humidity = 63
| Mar humidity = 66
| Apr humidity = 77
| May humidity = 79
| Jun humidity = 76
| Jul humidity = 74
| Aug humidity = 71
| Sep humidity = 67
| Oct humidity = 67
| Nov humidity = 77
| Dec humidity = 76
| year humidity = 72
| Jan sun = 282.1
| Feb sun = 265.6
| Mar sun = 263.5
| Apr sun = 204.0
| May sun = 179.8
| Jun sun = 159.0
| Jul sun = 124.0
| Aug sun = 124.0
| Sep sun = 168.0
| Oct sun = 213.9
| Nov sun = 204.0
| Dec sun = 254.2
| year sun =
| Jand sun = 9.1
| Febd sun = 9.4
| Mard sun = 8.5
| Aprd sun = 6.8
| Mayd sun = 5.8
| Jund sun = 5.3
| Juld sun = 4.0
| Augd sun = 4.0
| Sepd sun = 5.6
| Octd sun = 6.9
| Novd sun = 6.8
| Decd sun = 8.2
| yeard sun = 6.7
| source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (humidity and sun 1961–1990)<ref name = DWD2>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_637400_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Nairobi-Kenyatta (Int.Flugh.) / Kenia
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 31 August 2016
| archive-date = 28 March 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220328223214/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_637400_kt.pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
| source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.roostweather.com/worldclimate/graphs.php?climate=9120&code=63740
|title=JOMO KENYATTA NTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Climate: 1991–2020
|publisher=Starlings Roost Weather
|access-date=12 July 2025
}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Nairobi ([[Dagoretti]]) 1961–1990, extremes 1955–1982 and 1984–present
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high C = 34.8
|Feb record high C = 33.5
|Mar record high C = 32.9
|Apr record high C = 29.0
|May record high C = 26.8
|Jun record high C = 28.1
|Jul record high C = 32.7
|Aug record high C = 32.5
|Sep record high C = 30.0
|Oct record high C = 32.0
|Nov record high C = 37.9
|Dec record high C = 35.6
|year record high C = 
|Jan high C = 25.5
|Feb high C = 26.7
|Mar high C = 27.7
|Apr high C = 25.8
|May high C = 23.5
|Jun high C = 22.5
|Jul high C = 22.0
|Aug high C = 22.7
|Sep high C = 25.0
|Oct high C = 25.7
|Nov high C = 24.0
|Dec high C = 24.5
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = 19.7
|Feb mean C = 20.2
|Mar mean C = 21.0
|Apr mean C = 19.5
|May mean C = 17.8
|Jun mean C = 16.3
|Jul mean C = 15.6
|Aug mean C = 15.9
|Sep mean C = 17.3
|Oct mean C = 18.5
|Nov mean C = 18.4
|Dec mean C = 18.1
|year mean C =
|Jan low C = 12.7
|Feb low C = 12.7
|Mar low C = 13.8
|Apr low C = 14.0
|May low C = 12.1
|Jun low C = 10.0
|Jul low C = 9.2
|Aug low C = 9.1
|Sep low C = 9.7
|Oct low C = 11.3
|Nov low C = 12.7
|Dec low C = 11.7
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = 3.3
|Feb record low C = 2.2
|Mar record low C = 6.7
|Apr record low C = 7.8
|May record low C = 7.9
|Jun record low C = 4.4
|Jul record low C = 1.1
|Aug record low C = 2.9
|Sep record low C = 3.9
|Oct record low C = 5.5
|Nov record low C = 6.7
|Dec record low C = 6.2
|year record low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 58.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 49.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 92.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 242.3
|May precipitation mm = 189.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 38.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 17.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 24.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 31.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 60.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 149.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 107.6
|year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4
|Feb precipitation days = 4
|Mar precipitation days = 8
|Apr precipitation days = 15
|May precipitation days = 13
|Jun precipitation days = 5
|Jul precipitation days = 3
|Aug precipitation days = 4
|Sep precipitation days = 4
|Oct precipitation days = 7
|Nov precipitation days = 14
|Dec precipitation days = 9
|year precipitation days =
|Jan humidity = 60
|Feb humidity = 56
|Mar humidity = 62
|Apr humidity = 71
|May humidity = 73
|Jun humidity = 73
|Jul humidity = 73
|Aug humidity = 71
|Sep humidity = 64
|Oct humidity = 63
|Nov humidity = 71
|Dec humidity = 66
|year humidity =
|Jan sun = 288.3
|Feb sun = 266.0
|Mar sun = 267.0
|Apr sun = 204.0
|May sun = 189.1
|Jun sun = 159.0
|Jul sun = 130.2
|Aug sun = 127.1
|Sep sun = 180.0
|Oct sun = 226.3
|Nov sun = 198.0
|Dec sun = 257.3
|Jand sun = 9.3
|Febd sun = 9.3
|Mard sun = 8.6
|Aprd sun = 6.8
|Mayd sun = 6.1
|Jund sun = 5.3
|Juld sun = 4.2
|Augd sun = 4.1
|Sepd sun = 6.0
|Octd sun = 7.3
|Novd sun = 6.6
|Decd sun = 8.3
|year sun =
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA>
{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/KN/63741.TXT
| title = WMO Climate Normals for DAGORETTI 1961–1990
| access-date = 7 July 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250112002247/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/KN/63741.TXT
| archive-date = 2025-01-12
| url-status = dead
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes from 1955 to 1982 and humidity, 1961–1990),<ref name = DWD1>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_637410_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Nairobi-Dagoretti (Obs.) / Kenia
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 31 August 2016
| archive-date = 18 April 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210418095616/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_637410_kt.pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Meteo Climat (extremes from 1984–present)<ref name = meteoclimat1>{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1765
| title = Station Nairobi
| publisher = Meteo Climat
| language = fr
| access-date = 31 August 2016
| archive-date = 10 May 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170510074431/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1765
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

===Nairobi metropolitan region===

Nairobi is found within the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan region, which consists of parts of 5 out of 47 counties in Kenya, which generate about 40% of the entire nation's GDP as per 2022 data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nation.africa/kenya/business/nairobi-kiambu-retain-wealth-contribution-lead--3805872 | title=Nairobi, Kiambu retain position as richest counties | date=6 May 2022 | access-date=2 August 2022 | archive-date=12 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812102857/https://nation.africa/kenya/business/nairobi-kiambu-retain-wealth-contribution-lead--3805872 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/gross-county-product-gcp-2021/ |title=Gross County Product (GCP) 2021 – Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |publisher=Knbs.or.ke |date=2022-05-06 |accessdate=2022-08-02 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928232712/https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/gross-county-product-gcp-2021/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nairobi County on its own contributes to 27.5% of the country's GDP according to the same report while [[Kiambu County|Kiambu county]] comes second with 5.9%.

===Districts and neighbourhoods===

[[File:Nairobi South.jpg|thumb|Nairobi southern suburbs,2003]]
Nairobi is divided into a series of constituencies, with each being represented by members of Parliament in the National Assembly. The initial constituencies before the 2010 constitution which led to the county electoral boundaries being redrawn were: Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe, [[Langata]], Dagoretti, [[Westlands, Nairobi|Westlands]], Kasarani, and [[Embakasi]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Nairobi City Council |title=Councillors, Wards & Constituencies |publisher=nairobicity.org |url=http://www.nairobicity.org/departments/councillors.asp?search=%25&page=1 |access-date=20 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327052635/http://www.nairobicity.org/departments/councillors.asp?search=%25&page=1 |archive-date=27 March 2007 }}</ref> The new electoral boundaries after this were revised to Embakasi North, Embakasi South, Embakasi Central, Embakasi East, Embakasi West, Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe, Mathare, Westlands, Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, Langata, Kibra, Ruaraka, Roysambu and Kasarani.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nairobi City Council |title=Living in Nairobi |publisher=nairobicity.org |url=http://www.nairobicity.org/articles/default.asp?search=living |access-date=20 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319092940/http://www.nairobicity.org/articles/default.asp?search=living |archive-date=19 March 2007 }}</ref>

The main administrative divisions of Nairobi are Central, Dagoretti, [[Embakasi]], Kasarani, [[Kibera]], Makadara, Pumwani, and [[Westlands, Nairobi|Westlands]]. Most of the upmarket suburbs are situated to the west and north-central of Nairobi, where most European settlers resided during the colonial times AKA 'Ubabini'.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nairobi City Council |title=Living in Nairobi |publisher=nairobicity.org |url=http://www.nairobicity.org/articles/default.asp?search=living |access-date=20 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319092940/http://www.nairobicity.org/articles/default.asp?search=living |archive-date=19 March 2007 }}</ref> These include [[Karen, Kenya|Karen]], [[Langata]], [[Lavington, Nairobi|Lavington]], [[Gigiri]], [[Muthaiga]], Brookside, Spring Valley, Loresho, [[Kilimani]], Kileleshwa, Hurlingham, [[Runda]], [[Kitisuru]], Nyari, Kyuna, [[Lower Kabete]], Westlands, and Highridge, although Kangemi, Kawangware, and [[Dagoretti]] are lower income areas close to these affluent suburbs. The city's colonial past is commemorated by many English place-names.

Most lower-middle and upper-middle income neighbourhoods are located in the north-central areas, such as Highridge, Parklands, Ngara, Pangani, and areas to the southwest and southeast of the metropolitan area near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The most notable ones include Avenue Park, Fedha, Pipeline, Donholm, Greenfields, Nyayo, Taasia, Baraka, Nairobi West, Madaraka, Siwaka, South B, South C, Mugoya, Riverbank, Hazina, Buru Buru, Uhuru, Harambee Civil Servants', Akiba, Kimathi, Pioneer, and Koma Rock to the centre-east and Kasarani to the northeast area, among others. 

The low and lower-income estates are located mainly in far eastern Nairobi. These include, Umoja, Kariokor, [[Dandora]], [[Kariobangi]], [[Kayole]],Njiru, Chokaa, [[Ruai]], [[Kamulu]], [[Embakasi]], and [[Huruma]]. Kitengela suburb, though located further southeast, Ongata Rongai and Kiserian further southwest, and Ngong/Embulbul suburbs, also known as 'Diaspora' to the far west are considered part of the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan area. More than 90% of Nairobi residents work within the Nairobi Metropolitan area, in the formal and informal sectors. Many [[Somali people|Somali]] immigrants have also settled in [[Eastleigh, Nairobi|Eastleigh]], nicknamed "Little [[Mogadishu]]".<ref>{{cite web|last=Monsters and Critics |title=Urban Somali refugees call Nairobi's "Little Mogadishu" home |publisher=news.monstersandcritics.com |url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/features/article_1233394.php/Urban_Somali_refugees_call_Nairobis_little_Mogadishu_home |access-date=20 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617144406/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/features/article_1233394.php/Urban_Somali_refugees_call_Nairobis_little_Mogadishu_home |archive-date=17 June 2007 }}</ref> A complete list of Nairobi postal codes by area and constituency is available online.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nairobi Postal Codes and Post Offices – 2025 Official List |url=https://nairobipostalcode.org/ |website=Nairobi Postal Code |access-date=30 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

{{wide image|Nairobi-panorama.jpg|2700px|align-cap=center|360-degree Nairobi panorama}}

====Kibera slum====
{{Main|Kibera}}

[[File:Kibera, Nairobi May 2007.jpg|thumb|right|Kibera slums being upgraded to New Apartment by the Kenyan Ministry of housing and United Nations Habitat]]

The [[Kibera]] slum in Nairobi is claimed by the Kenyan government to have a population of 185,777.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-and-housing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-sub-county |title=2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County |publisher=Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113191208/https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-and-housing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-sub-county |archive-date=13 November 2019 }}</ref> However, non-governmental sources generally estimate the slum to have a population of 500,000 to 1,000,000, depending on what areas are defined as comprising Kibera.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/AdolKiberaSlums.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511073842/http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/AdolKiberaSlums.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2012 |title=Adolescence in the Kibera Slums of Nairobi, Kenya |date=2007 |publisher=The Population Council |last1=Erulkar |first1=Annabel S. |last2=Matheka |first2=James K. |access-date=2 April 2022 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://tuengr.com/V02/197-213.pdf |title=Understanding the Grassroots Dynamics of Slums in Nairobi: The Dilemma of Kibera Informal Settlements |last1=Mutisya |first1=Emmanuel |last2=Yarime |first2=Masaru |journal=International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies |date=2011 |access-date=30 May 2022 |pages=197–213 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809033033/http://www.tuengr.com/V02/197-213.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2010/06/08/audio-slideshow-dr-biden-sees-kibera-kenya |title=Audio Slideshow: Dr. Biden Sees the Neighborhoods of Kenya |publisher=The White House |date=June 8, 2010 |last=Tomasini |first=Anne |access-date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=10 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110062227/https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/06/08/audio-slideshow-dr-biden-sees-kibera-kenya |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepeople.co.ke/21245/kibera-slum-lords-cash-misery/ |title=Kibera: How slum lords cash in on misery |website=www.thepeople.co.ke |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012221211/http://www.thepeople.co.ke/21245/kibera-slum-lords-cash-misery/ |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Parks and gardens ==
[[File:Central park .jpg|thumb|Central Park]]

Nairobi has many parks and open spaces throughout the city. Much of the city has dense tree-cover and plenty of green spaces. [[File:A lone giraffe in Nairobi National Park.jpg|thumb|A giraffe at [[Nairobi National Park]], with Nairobi's skyline in background]]

The most famous park in Nairobi is [[Uhuru Park]]. The park borders the central business district and the neighbourhood Upper Hill. Uhuru (''Freedom'' in [[Swahili language|Swahili]]) Park is a centre for outdoor speeches, services, and rallies. The park was to be built over by former President [[Daniel arap Moi]], who wanted the 62-storey headquarters of his party, the [[Kenya African National Union]], situated in the park.<ref>{{cite web |last=The Standard |title=Kenyans must have a sustained campaign against land grabbing |publisher=eastandard.net |url=http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=4451&date=30/10/2004 |access-date=25 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113092330/http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=4451&date=30%2F10%2F2004 |archive-date=13 January 2015 }}</ref> However, the park was saved following a campaign by [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner [[Wangarĩ Maathai|Wangari Maathai]].

Central Park is adjacent to Uhuru Park, and includes a memorial for [[Jomo Kenyatta]], the first president of Kenya, and the Moi Monument, built in 1988 to commemorate the second president's first decade in power.

Both Uhuru Park and Central Park were renovated by the-then Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) together with the [[Kenya Defence Forces]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mutai |first=SEdwin |date=2022-04-03 |title=Uhuru, Central parks upgrade allocated Sh1bn |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/uhuru-central-parks-upgrade-allocated-sh1bn-3770298 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Business Daily |language=en}}</ref> The process started in September 2023 and incorporates several key elements, including a cascading water feature, upgraded sanitation facilities, a skateboarding zone, and pedestrian-friendly paths.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[PHOTOS] A view of the newly renovated Uhuru Park |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-12-09-photos-a-view-of-the-newly-renovated-uhuru-park |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=Glimpse of ongoing facelift at Nairobi Uhuru, Central parks |url=https://peopledaily.digital/news/glimpse-of-ongoing-facelift-at-nairobi-uhuru-central-parks |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=People Daily |language=en}}</ref> It also highlights statues of native wildlife, carefully groomed lawns, thriving trees, improved footpaths, and expanded green zones.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MUTHOMI |first=KEN |date=2024-03-30 |title=Sakaja reopens new-look Uhuru Park to the Public after 2-year closure for upgrade |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2024/03/sakaja-reopens-new-look-uhuru-park-to-the-public-after-2-year-closure-for-upgrade/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Capital News |language=en-US}}</ref> A botanical section has been established as well, showcasing a diverse collection of flowers and plant species to reflect Kenya's abundant floral heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EXPLAINER: What has changed inside newly revamped Uhuru Park |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-04-18-explainer-what-has-changed-inside-newly-revamped-uhuru-park |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=Inside the refurbished Uhuru and Central parks |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/inside-the-refurbished-uhuru-and-central-parks-3932068 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-26 |title=Uhuru Park Reopens to the Public After Extensive Renovations |url=https://www.mwakilishi.com/article/kenya-news/2024-03-30/uhuru-park-reopens-to-the-public-after-extensive-renovations |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Mwakilishi.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[Jeevanjee Gardens]] is located within the Central Business District and is easily accessible via foot, private vehicles and public transport.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-02 |title=How Jeevanjee Gardens was planted |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/saturday-magazine/how-jeevanjee-gardens-was-planted--884882 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref> Among Nairobi's most historic and oldest public green spaces, the park was created in the early 20th century by Asian industrialist [[Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee|A.M. Jeevanjee]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-05 |title=Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee: The man who built Nairobi |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/dn2/alibhai-mulla-jeevanjee-the-man-who-built-nairobi-918866 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-16 |title=The story of A M Jeevanjee and his Nairobi Gardens |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/the-story-of-a-m-jeevanjee-and-his-nairobi-gardens-5044560 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The EastAfrican |language=en}}</ref>

The John Michuki Memorial Park is situated along the [[Nairobi River]], stretching from Globe Cinema Roundabout to Museum Bridge. It was previously known as the Mazingira Park, and was reopened in August 2020 by President [[Uhuru Kenyatta]] after renovation by the [[Kenya Forest Service]], Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and [[National Environment Management Authority of Kenya|National Environment Management Authority]] (NEMA).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-15 |title=City gets new green space as Michuki park is launched |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/city-gets-new-green-space-as-michuki-park-is-launched-1919374 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Uhuru officially opens the Michuki Memorial Park |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-08-14-uhuru-officially-opens-the-michuki-memorial-park |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> The park is named in tribute to the late former Cabinet Minister [[John Michuki]], who was instrumental in the restoration of the Nairobi River and its surroundings during his time as Minister for Environment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-19 |title=Memorial park's renewal from urban eyesore to lushness |url=https://peopledaily.digital/lifestyle/memorial-parks-renewal-from-urban-eyesore-to-lushness |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=People Daily |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-29 |title=State plans leisure park in Michuki's honour |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2012/02/state-plans-leisure-park-in-michukis-honour/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Capital News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mungai |first=Allan |title=How Michuki clean-up labour blossomed into a spectacular city park |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ureport/article/2001382904/how-michuki-clean-up-labour-blossomed-into-a-spectacular-city-park |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>

[[Nairobi Arboretum]], founded in 1907 by E. Batiscombe as a trial site for forestry tree species, is a 30-hectare botanical reserve that hosts more than 350 types of trees and functions as both a leisure destination and a research hub.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=The Arboretum, tranquil trove for study and nature sampling |url=https://peopledaily.digital/news/the-arboretum-tranquil-trove-for-study-and-nature-sampling |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=People Daily |language=en}}</ref> It is located near the [[State House, Nairobi|State House]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-07 |title=An exciting tree-ticking morning in the Nairobi Arboretum |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/saturday-magazine/an-exciting-tree-ticking-morning-in-the-nairobi-arboretum-3502492 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

[[Karura Forest]], the city-based nature reserve, features nature trails, picnic spots, caves and waterfalls. It is an excellent destination for birdwatching as the area is home to over 200 documented bird species. While strolling along the trails, visitors may also catch glimpses of monkeys and bushbucks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-16 |title=A walk in the woods |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/lifestyle/a-walk-in-the-woods-3784682 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

Nairobi City Park, is located between Forest Road and Limuru Road. As one of Nairobi's oldest and most expansive urban green spaces, spanning over 60 hectares, City Park holds considerable ecological value. It preserves one of the last remaining patches of indigenous forest that once blanketed the region. The park is home to a rich array of biodiversity, including [[Sykes' monkey]]s, various bird species, and a wide assortment of native plant life.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-22 |title=The amazing history of Nairobi's City Park |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/lifestyle/the-amazing-history-of-nairobi-s-city-park-4208668 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref> City Park also carries historical weight, because it hosts cemeteries for veterans of World War I and II and is the final resting place of notable figures such as freedom fighter [[Pio Gama Pinto]] and former Vice President [[Joseph Murumbi]], whose memorial garden is located within the park grounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-12-25 |title=Great memories may be all that remain as City Park falls into ruin |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/lifestyle/society/great-memories-may-be-all-that-remain-as-city-park-falls-into-ruin-2129800 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Business Daily |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Visitors flock City Park after facelift |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-06-09-visitors-flock-city-park-after-facelift |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref>

Oloolua Nature Trail is situated in [[Oloolua Forest]] in the [[Karen, Kenya|Karen]] area of Nairobi. It is under the management of Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) and provides opportunities for nature walks, bird watching, and enjoying the natural environment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title=Taking a breather in Oloolua Forest green |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/taking-a-breather-in-oloolua-forest-green-3542514 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The EastAfrican |language=en}}</ref> Key attractions include a 37-meter deep natural cave that was historically used by Mau Mau fighters, a beautiful waterfall draining into the [[Mbagathi River]], a bamboo resting point, and a papyrus swamp.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-02 |title=Oloolua nature trail in Karen just the place to rejuvenate the soul |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/oloolua-nature-trail-in-karen-just-the-place-to-rejuvenate-the-soul-1111484 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

[[Ngong Forest|Ngong Road Forest]] Sanctuary contains winding walking and jogging paths that pass through tall trees inhabited by various bird species, with occasional sightings of [[Sykes' monkey|Sykes monkeys]]. The area also includes a picnic site and a playground for children. Additionally, Ngong Road Forest has cycling trails that run beneath the indigenous tree canopy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=This is why we need to plan for our wild heritage in the city |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/saturday-magazine/this-is-why-we-need-to-plan-for-our-wild-heritage-in-the-city-3791602 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-11 |title=Pole-Walking in the Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/lifestyle/pole-walking-in-the-ngong-road-forest-sanctuary--4521202 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

Langata Botanical Gardens is a private recreational garden located along Langata South Road. The area comprises numerous native trees, expansive well-maintained lawns, and a lagoon inhabited by a diverse range of fish species.

Other private botanical gardens include Maarifa Park Botanical Garden, located in Kitisuru<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wanjugu |first=Caroline |date=2023-05-02 |title=Magical city garden with peacocks and 500 plants |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/lifestyle/gardening/magical-city-garden-with-peacocks-and-500-plants--4219374 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Business Daily |language=en}}</ref> and the Five Senses Botanical Gardens by Enaki, located in Nyari, Nairobi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wasonga |first=Molly |date=2018-11-14 |title=HassConsult launches Enaki township in a sensory botanical gardens |url=https://cioafrica.co/hassconsult-launches-enaki-township-in-a-sensory-botanical-gardens/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=CIO Africa |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Nairobi Botanical Gardens is located within the [[National Museums of Kenya|National Museum of Kenya]]. The Nairobi Botanical Gardens are organized into themed sections, each highlighting a particular conservation topic. For example, the Children's Garden focuses on botany and habitat, providing a space where visitors can learn about indigenous and exotic plants while enjoying open lawns and an outdoor amphitheatre. Other sections include the Grass Gardens, which showcase important food and beverage plants, the Herbal Garden dedicated to medicinal and food plants, the Succulent Gardens illustrating plant adaptations to arid environments, the Quarry Garden transformed from a former quarry, and the Memorial Garden commemorating World War II with symbolic plants and a water feature.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-09 |title=A walk through the Nairobi Botanical Garden at the Nairobi National Museum |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/a-walk-through-the-nairobi-botanical-garden-museum-4956734 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-02 |title=The botanic garden of sculptures |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/saturday-magazine/the-botanic-garden-of-sculptures--770264 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

The [[August 7th Memorial Park, Kenya|August 7th Memorial Park]] is located at the site of the [[1998 United States embassy bombings|1998 US Embassy bombing]] and features a green space that offers tranquility.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-26 |title=August 7th Memorial Park: An oasis of peace |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/august-7th-memorial-park-an-oasis-of-peace-5017902 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

=== Threats to public spaces ===
The colonial 1948 Master Plan for Nairobi still acts as the governing mechanism when it comes to making decisions related to urban planning. The Master Plan at the time, which was designed for 250,000 people, allocated 28% of Nairobi's land to public space, but because of rapid population growth, much of the vitality of public spaces within the city are increasingly threatened.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Makworo|first1=Micah|last2=Mireri|first2=Caleb|date=1 October 2011|title=Public open spaces in Nairobi City, Kenya, under threat|journal=Journal of Environmental Planning and Management|volume=54|issue=8|pages=1107–1123|doi=10.1080/09640568.2010.549631|bibcode=2011JEPM...54.1107M|s2cid=55840153|issn=0964-0568|url=https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/bitstream/123456789/7836/4/Public%20open%20spaces%20in%20Nairobi%20City%20Kenya%20under%20threat.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> City Park, the only natural park in Nairobi, for example, was originally {{cvt|150|acre|disp=flip|-1}}, but has since lost approximately {{cvt|50|acre|disp=flip|-1}} of land to private development through squatting and illegal alienation which began in the 1980s.<ref name=":0" />

==Political divisions==
[[File:Co-operative Bank of Kenya.jpg|thumb|Co-operative Bank of Kenya headquarters.]]
[[File:Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region map.svg|thumb|Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region, consisting of [[Nairobi City County]] (red), [[Kajiado County]] (orange), [[Machakos County]] (green), and [[Kiambu County]] (blue)]]
The City of Nairobi has the status of a full [[Counties of Kenya|administrative county]].

Initially, Nairobi was one of the eight provinces in Kenya before 2013. The Nairobi province differed in several ways from other Kenyan regions. Nairobi Province was not divided into "districts" until 2007, when three districts were created. In 2010, along with the new constitution, Nairobi was renamed a county and consolidated into a [[List of cities and towns in Kenya by population|city-county]]. The county is entirely urban. It had only one local council, [[Nairobi City Council]], which was replaced by [[Nairobi City County]] after the new constitution was effected in March 2013.

Nairobi County has 17 constituencies. Constituency name may differ from division name, such that Starehe Constituency is equal to Central Division, Lang'ata Constituency to Kibera division, and Kamukunji Constituency to Pumwani Division in terms of boundaries.

===Constituencies===

Nairobi is divided into 17 [[Divisions of Kenya|constituencies]] and 85 [[Locations of Kenya|wards]],<ref name="test">[http://www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/resources/downloads/item/final-constituencies-and-wards-description] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319001043/http://www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/resources/downloads/item/final-constituencies-and-wards-description|date=19 March 2013}}</ref> mostly named after residential estates. Kibera Division, for example, includes [[Kibera]], Kenya's largest slum, and the affluent estates of [[Karen, Kenya|Karen]] and [[Langata]].

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:160px;" | Constituency
! Communities
|-
! [[Dagoretti North Constituency|Dagoretti North]]
| [[Kilimani]]{{·}} [[Kawangware]]{{·}} [[Gatina, Nairobi|Gatina]]{{·}} [[Kileleshwa]]{{·}} [[Kabiro, Nairobi|Kabiro]]
|-
! [[Dagoretti South Constituency|Dagoretti South]]
| [[Mutuini|Mutu-ini]]{{·}} [[Ng'ando]]{{·}} [[Riruta Satellite|Riruta]]{{·}} [[Uthiru|Uthiru/Ruthimitu]]{{·}} [[Waithaka]]
|-
! [[Lang'ata Constituency|Lang'ata]]
| [[Karen, Kenya|Karen]]{{·}} [[Nairobi West]]{{·}}[[Mugumoini|Mugumo-ini]]{{·}} [[South C]]{{·}} [[Nyayo Highrise]]{{·}} [[Otiende, Nairobi|Otiende]]
|-
! [[Kibra Constituency|Kibra]]
| [[Laini Saba]]{{·}} [[Lindi]]{{·}} [[Makina]]{{·}} [[Woodley, Nairobi|Woodley/Kenyatta Golf Course]]{{·}} [[Sarang'ombe]]
|-
! [[Kasarani Constituency|Kasarani]]
| [[Clay City, Nairobi|Clay City]]{{·}} [[Mwiki]]{{·}} [[Kasarani]]{{·}} [[Njiru, Nairobi|Njiru]]{{·}} [[Ruai]]{{·}} [[Kamulu]]
|-
![[Roysambu Constituency|Roysambu]]
| [[Roysambu]]{{·}} [[Garden Estate, Nairobi|Garden Estate]]{{·}}  [[Ridgeways, Nairobi|Ridgeways]]{{·}} [[Githurai]]{{·}} [[Kahawa West, Nairobi|Kahawa West]]{{·}} [[Zimmerman, Nairobi|Zimmermann]]{{·}} [[Kahawa]]
|-
![[Ruaraka Constituency|Ruaraka]]
| [[Babadogo, Nairobi|Babadogo]]{{·}} [[Utalii, Nairobi|Utalii]]{{·}} [[Mathare|Mathare North]]{{·}} [[Lucky Summer]]{{·}} [[Korogocho]]
|-
![[Embakasi Central Constituency|Embakasi Central]]
| [[Kayole North, Nairobi|Kayole North]]{{·}} [[Kayole North Central, Nairobi|Kayole North Central]]{{·}} [[Kayole South, Nairobi|Kayole South]]{{·}} [[Komarock]]{{·}} [[Matopeni|Matopeni/Spring Valley]]
|-
![[Embakasi East Constituency|Embakasi East]]
| [[Upper Savanna, Nairobi|Upper Savanna]]{{·}} [[Lower Savanna, Nairobi|Lower Savanna]]{{·}} [[Embakasi]]{{·}} [[Utawala]]{{·}} [[Mihang'o]]
|-
![[Embakasi North Constituency|Embakasi North]]
| [[Kariobangi|Kariobangi North]]{{·}} [[Dandora|Dandora Area I]]{{·}} [[Dandora Area II]]{{·}} [[Dandora Area III]]{{·}} [[Dandora Area IV]]
|-
![[Embakasi South Constituency|Embakasi South]]
| [[Imara Daima]]{{·}} [[Kwa Njenga, Nairobi|Kwa Njenga]]{{·}} [[Kwa Reuben, Nairobi|Kwa Reuben]]{{·}} [[Pipeline, Nairobi|Pipeline]]{{·}} [[Kware]]
|-
![[Embakasi West Constituency|Embakasi West]]
| [[Umoja I, Nairobi|Umoja I]]{{·}} [[Umoja II, Nairobi|Umoja II]]{{·}} [[Mowlem]]{{·}} [[Kariobangi|Kariobangi South]]
|-
! [[Kamukunji Constituency|Kamukunji]]
| [[Pumwani]]{{·}} [[Eastleigh, Nairobi|Eastleigh North]]{{·}} [[Eastleigh South, Nairobi|Eastleigh South]]{{·}} [[Moi Air Base|Airbase]]{{·}} [[California, Nairobi|California]]
|-
! [[Makadara Constituency|Makadara]]
| [[Maringo, Nairobi|Maringo/Hamza]]{{·}} [[Viwandani]]{{·}} [[Harambee]]{{·}} [[Makongeni]]{{·}} [[Mbotela]]{{·}} [[Bahati, Nairobi|Bahati]]
|-
! [[Mathare Constituency (2013)|Mathare]]
| [[Hospital, Nairobi|Hospital]]{{·}} [[Mabatini]]{{·}} [[Huruma]]{{·}} [[Ngei, Nairobi|Ngei]]{{·}} [[Mlango Kubwa, Nairobi|Mlango Kubwa]]{{·}} [[Kiamaiko, Nairobi|Kiamaiko]]
|-
! [[Starehe Constituency|Starehe]]
| [[Nairobi Central]]{{·}} [[Ngara]]{{·}} [[Pangani]]{{·}} [[Ziwani, Nairobi|Ziwani/Kariokor]]{{·}} [[Landimawe, Nairobi|Landimawe]]{{·}} [[Nairobi South]]
|-
! [[Westlands Constituency|Westlands]]
| [[Kitisuru]]{{·}} [[Parklands, Nairobi|Parklands]]/Highridge{{·}} [[Karura, Nairobi|Karura]]{{·}} [[Kangemi]]{{·}} [[Mountain View, Nairobi|Mountain View]]
|}
The Nairobi GPO (General Post Office) Postal code is '''00100'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nash |title=Nairobi Postal Code is 00100 – Complete List – 2023 [BEST] |url=https://nashthuo.com/nairobi-postal-code/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=nashthuo.com |language=en-us |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319204025/https://nashthuo.com/nairobi-postal-code/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Economy==
{{See also|List of companies and organizations based in Nairobi}}

[[File:Nairobi economic capital of africa.jpg|thumb|Nairobi is a major financial capital of Africa, and one of the most modern cities in Africa.]]
Nairobi is home to the [[Nairobi Securities Exchange]] (NSE), one of Africa's largest [[stock exchange]]s. The NSE was officially recognised as an overseas stock exchange by the [[London Stock Exchange]] in 1953. The exchange is Africa's fourth largest in terms of trading volumes, and fifth largest in terms of Market Capitalization as a percentage of GDP.<ref>{{cite web |last=Millennium IT |title=Live Trading commences at Nairobi Securities Exchange |publisher=millenniumit.com |url=http://www.millenniumit.com/esp/news_7.php |access-date=28 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103152926/http://www.millenniumit.com/esp/news_7.php |archive-date=3 November 2006 }}</ref>

Nairobi is the regional headquarters of several international companies and organisations. In 2007, [[General Electric]], [[Young & Rubicam]], [[Google]], [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]], [[IBM|IBM Services]], and [[Cisco Systems]] relocated their African headquarters to the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=General Electric moves Africa's hub to Nairobi |publisher=bdafrica.com |url=http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1291&Itemid=4744 |access-date=18 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928151239/http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1291&Itemid=4744 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Press Media Wire |title=Cisco Inaugurates East African Headquarters in Nairobi |publisher=pressmediawire.com |url=http://www.pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=4153 |access-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111164429/http://www.pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=4153 |archive-date=11 January 2009 }}</ref> The [[United Nations Office at Nairobi]] hosts [[United Nations Environment Programme|UN Environment]] and [[United Nations Human Settlements Programme|UN-Habitat]] headquarters.

Several of Africa's largest companies are headquartered in Nairobi. [[Safaricom]], the largest company in Kenya by assets and profitability is headquartered in Nairobi, KenGen, which is the largest African stock outside [[South Africa]],<ref>{{cite web |title=KenGen Heads Index of Africa's Top 40 Stocks |publisher=nationmedia.com |url=http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&newsid=82743 |access-date=15 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015707/http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&newsid=82743 |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> is based in the city. [[Kenya Airways]], Africa's fourth largest airline, uses Nairobi's [[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport]] as a hub.

Nairobi has not been left behind by the FinTech phenomenon that has taken over worldwide. It has produced a couple of tech firms like Craft Silicon,<ref>{{cite web |title=Craft Silicon Ltd.: Private Company Information – Bloomberg |publisher=bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=117347963 |access-date=15 October 2016 |archive-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026070044/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=117347963 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kangai Technologies,<ref>{{cite web |title=KANGAI technologies (Nairobi, Kenya) |publisher=businesslist.co.ke |url=https://www.businesslist.co.ke/company/144443/kangai-technologies |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025225553/https://www.businesslist.co.ke/company/144443/kangai-technologies |url-status=live }}</ref> Jambo Pay<ref>{{cite web |title=The 31 Year-Old Entrepreneur Who Is Challenging PayPal in Kenya |work=forbes.com |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2015/04/14/the-31-year-old-entrepreneur-who-is-challenging-paypal-in-kenya/#38643f6c4dc2 |access-date=14 April 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417023327/http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2015/04/14/the-31-year-old-entrepreneur-who-is-challenging-paypal-in-kenya/#38643f6c4dc2 |url-status=live }}</ref>  and Hostraha Limited.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Web Hosting, Domain Registration, Reseller Hosting & VPS Hosting |url=https://www.hostraha.com/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |language=en-US |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119215603/https://hostraha.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which have been in the forefront of technology,<ref>{{cite web|title=SaccoTek – Your Personal Sacco Manager |publisher=saccotek.co.ke |url=https://www.startupranking.com/saccotek |access-date=31 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707102141/http://www.startupranking.com/saccotek|url-status=dead |archive-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> innovation and cloud based computing services. Their products are widely used and have considerable market share presence within Kenya and outside its borders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Craft Silicon revenue hits Sh5bn on pay platform use – Business Daily |publisher=businessdailyafrica.com |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/539550-3950398-7jd8wiz/index.html |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=31 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531220718/http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/539550-3950398-7jd8wiz/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Goods manufactured in Nairobi include clothing, textiles, building materials, [[processed food]]s, beverages, and cigarettes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nairobi, Kenya – Image of the Week – Earth Watching|url=https://earth.esa.int/web/earth-watching/image-of-the-week/content/-/article/nairobi-kenya|website=earth.esa.int|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-date=4 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704005458/https://earth.esa.int/web/earth-watching/image-of-the-week/content/-/article/nairobi-kenya/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kenya, Nairobi Cost of Living April 2010|url=https://internationalcostofliving.com/2010/06/15/kenya-nairobi-cost-of-living-april-2010/|last=Xpatulator|date=2010-06-15|website=Expatriate International Cost of Living|language=en|access-date=2020-05-25|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806063526/https://internationalcostofliving.com/2010/06/15/kenya-nairobi-cost-of-living-april-2010/|url-status=live}}</ref> Several foreign companies have factories based in and around the city. These include [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company]], [[General Motors]], [[Toyota]], and [[The Coca-Cola Company]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}}

Nairobi has a large [[tourist industry]], being both a tourist destination and a transport hub.<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-05-21|title=Kenya tackles multi-modal upgrades to remain East Africa's transit hub|url=https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/along-ride-multi-modal-upgrades-are-works-maintain-country%E2%80%99s-position-east-africa%E2%80%99s-transit-hub|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Oxford Business Group|language=en|archive-date=26 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426081314/https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/along-ride-multi-modal-upgrades-are-works-maintain-country%E2%80%99s-position-east-africa%E2%80%99s-transit-hub|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Central Business District (CBD)===
Nairobi has grown around its [[central business district]], usually referred to colloquially as "the CBD". This takes a pentagonal shape, around the Uhuru Highway, Haile Selassie Avenue, Moi Avenue, and University Way. It features many of Nairobi's important buildings, including the City Hall and Parliament Building. The city square is also located within the perimeter.

Most of the skyscrapers in this region are the headquarters of businesses and corporations, such as I&M and the [[Kenyatta International Conference Centre]]. The [[1998 United States embassy bombings|United States Embassy bombing]] took place in this district, prompting the building of a new embassy building in the suburbs.

In 2011, the city was considered to have about 4 million residents. A large beautification project took place in the Central Business District, as the city prepared to host the 2006 Afri-Cities summit. Iconic buildings such as the [[Kenyatta International Conference Centre]] had their exteriors cleaned and repainted.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nairobi City Council |title=The Beautification of Nairobi City Project |publisher=nairobicity.org |url=http://www.nairobicity.org/projects/projects_full_story.asp?search=beautif |access-date=28 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127180059/http://www.nairobicity.org/projects/projects_full_story.asp?search=beautif |archive-date=27 January 2007 }}</ref>

Nairobi downtown area or central business district is bordered to the southwest by [[Uhuru Park]] and Central Park. The [[Mombasa]] to [[Kampala]] railway runs to the southeast of the district.

===Upper Hill===
{{main|Upper Hill, Nairobi}}

[[File:Section of Upper Hill in 2018.jpg|thumb|Prism Tower in Upper Hill]]
Two areas outside the Central Business District that are seeing growth in companies and office space are [[Upper Hill, Nairobi|Upper Hill]], which is located, approximately {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the Central Business District and [[Westlands, Nairobi|Westlands]], about the same distance from the city centre.

Companies that have moved from the Central Business District to Upper Hill include [[Citibank]], and in 2007 [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] began construction of their [[East Africa|East]] and Central African headquarters in Upper Hill,<ref>{{cite web |last=Kenya Broadcasting Corporation |title=Vice president Moody Awori urges investors to market the country |publisher=kbc.co.ke |url=http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=43359 |access-date=28 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626195053/http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=43359 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=26 June 2007}}</ref> cementing the district as the preferred location for office space in Nairobi. The largest office development in this area is [[UAP Tower]], completed in 2015 and opened for business in July 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/markets/Kenyas-tallest-building-rises-above-office-pace-glut/539552-3279514-nuf1b1z/index.html|title=Kenya's highest building opens for business|website=Business Daily|access-date=2019-03-16|archive-date=25 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725004624/http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/markets/Kenyas-tallest-building-rises-above-office-pace-glut/539552-3279514-nuf1b1z/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is a 33-storey tower 163 meters high. The World Bank and [[International Finance Corporation]], part of the World Bank Group, are also located in Upper Hill at the Delta Center, Menegai Road. Earlier on, they were located in the Hill Park Building and CBA Building respectively, both in Upper Hill, and prior to that in View Park towers in the Central Business District.

To accommodate the large demand for floor space in Nairobi, various commercial projects are being constructed. New business parks are being built in the city, including the flagship [[Nairobi Business Park]].

===Construction boom and real estate development projects===

[[File:A view of Nairobi from the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.jpg|thumb|A view of Nairobi from the [[Kenyatta International Conference Centre]]]]Nairobi is undergoing a construction boom. Major real estate projects and skyscrapers are coming up in the city. Among them are the pinnacle twin towers which will tower at 314 m, [[Britam Tower]] (200 m), Avic International Africa headquarters (176 m), Prism tower (140 m), Pan Africa insurance towers, Pallazzo offices, and many other projects. Shopping malls are also being constructed like the recently completed Garden city Mall, Centum's [[Two Rivers Mall|Two rivers Mall]], The Hub in Karen, Karen waterfront, Thika Greens, and the recently reconstructed Westgate Mall. 

High-class residential apartments for living are coming up like Le Mac towers, a residential tower in Westlands Nairobi with 23 floors. Avic International is also putting up a total of four residential apartments on Waiyaki way: a 28-level tower, two 24-level towers, and a 25-level tower. Hotel towers are also being erected in the city. 

Avic International is putting up a 30-level hotel tower of 141 m in the Westlands. The hotel tower will be operated by Marriot group. Jabavu limited is constructing a 35 floor hotel tower in Upper Hill which will be high over 140 metres in the city skyline. Arcon Group Africa has also announced plans to erect a skyscraper in Upper hill which will have 66 floors and tower over 290 metres, further cementing Upper hill as the preferred metropolis for multinational corporations launching their operations in the Kenyan capital.
{| style="class=&quot;wikitable&quot;"
|+ '''Nairobi's tallest skyscrapers'''<ref>{{cite web |last=Emporis Buildings |title=Nairobi High Rise Buildings |publisher=[[Emporis]] |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=100051&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040922020344/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=100051&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 September 2004 |access-date=25 June 2007}}</ref>
|-
| [[The Pinnacle (Nairobi)|Pinnacle Towers]] (estimated completion in 2029) || {{convert|314|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Britam Tower]] || {{convert|200|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[UAP Tower]] || {{convert|163|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Times Tower]]       || {{convert|140|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Teleposta Towers]]       || {{convert|120|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Kenyatta International Conference Centre]]{{nbsp|2}} || {{convert|105|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| NSSF Building          || {{convert|103|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[I&M Bank Tower]]         || {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Nyayo House]]            || {{convert|84|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
|Cooperative Bank House
|83&nbsp;m (272&nbsp;ft)
|-
|National Bank House
|82&nbsp;m (269&nbsp;ft)
|-
|[[Hazina Towers]]
|81&nbsp;m (266&nbsp;ft)
|-
| [[Rahimtulla Tower]]       ||80&nbsp;m (260&nbsp;ft)
|}

Also see [[List of tallest buildings in Kenya]]

==Demographics==
As of 2024, Nairobi has an estimated population of 4.8 million, up from 4.3 million in 2019, making it the largest city in [[Kenya]]. The city spans approximately 696 km², with a population density of about 6,900 inhabitants per km². Nairobi's demographics are characterized by a youthful and rapidly growing population, reflecting ongoing urbanization and migration trends.

{{historical populations
|title=Population of Nairobi between 1906 and 2019
|align=none|cols=3
|graph-pos=bottom
|1906|11500
|1911|14000
|1921|24300
|1931|47800
|1939|61300
|1948|119000
|1955|186000
|1960|251000
|1965|380000
|1969|509300
|1979|827775
|1989|1324570
|1995|1810000
|1999|2143254
|2005|2750561
|2009|3138369
|2019|4397073
|footnote=Population of Nairobi City<ref>[https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-and-housing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-sub-county " 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113191208/https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-and-housing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-sub-county |date=13 November 2019 }}, KNBS 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census.</ref>
}}

Nairobi has experienced one of the highest growth rates of any city in Africa. Since its foundation in 1899, Nairobi has grown to become the second-largest city in the African Great Lakes, despite being one of the youngest cities in the region. The growth rate of Nairobi was estimated in 2023 to be 2.09% a year.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kenya/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308161149/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kenya/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is estimated that Nairobi's population will reach 5 million people in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/print/news.php?articleid=26125 |title=Build cities to contain population explosion |last=Oronje |first=Rose |date=July 27, 2005 |work=The Standard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927174509/http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/print/news.php?articleid=26125 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref>

Given this high population growth, owing itself both to urban migration and high birth rates, the economy has yet to catch up. Unemployment is estimated at 5.5% within the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kenya – unemployment rate 1999–2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/808608/unemployment-rate-in-kenya/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Statista |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805060723/https://www.statista.com/statistics/808608/unemployment-rate-in-kenya/ |url-status=live }}</ref> mainly in the high-density, low-income areas of the city which can make them seem even denser than the higher-income neighbourhoods.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Oyugi|first1=Maurice Onyango|last2=K’Akumu|first2=Owiti A.|title=Land use management challenges for the city of Nairobi|journal=Urban Forum|language=en|volume=18|issue=1|pages=94–113|doi=10.1007/BF02681232|issn=1015-3802|year=2007|s2cid=154635614}}</ref>

A population projection in the 21st century is listed below:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! 2009 !! 2019 !! 2023 !! 2030
|-
| '''Population size''' || 3,138,372   || '''4,397,073'''|| 4,677,677 || 5,212,500<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nairobi.go.ke/assets/Documents/EI-JR14112-Master-Plan-02-2-1.pdf |title=Chapter7 Urban Transport Development Plan |website=nairobi.go.ke |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828202704/http://nairobi.go.ke/assets/Documents/EI-JR14112-Master-Plan-02-2-1.pdf |archive-date=28 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

=== Religion===
{{Pie chart
|[
 {"label": "Christianity", "value": 3853527, "color":"#1f77b4"},
 {"label": "Islam", "value": 326809, "color":"#e377c2"},
 {"label": "Hindu", "value": 38141, "color":"#bcbd22"},
 {"label": "Traditionists", "value": 7029, "color":"#17becf"},
 {"label": "Other Religion", "value": 46401, "color":"#7f7f7f"},
 {"label": "No religion / Atheists", "value": 54841, "color":"#aec7e8"},
{"label": "No Stated", "value": 10333, "color":"#aec7e8"}
]
| autoscale = true
| legend = true
| thumb  = right
| radius = 100
| caption= Religious population distribution in Nairobi County<ref>KNBS 2020 Population Census</ref>
| footer = 
}}
'''Religion in Nairobi''' is diverse but predominantly Christian. Approximately 88.85% of Nairobi's population identifies as [[Christianity|Christian]], with [[Protestantism|Protestants]] accounting for 31.34%, [[Catholic Church|Catholics]] for 24.01%, and [[Evangelicalism|Evangelicals]] for 20.70%. Other Christian groups include African Instituted Churches (7.08%), Other Christian denominations (5.19%), and a small [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christian]] community (0.53%). [[Islam]] is the second-largest religion in the county, practiced by approximately 7.53% of residents. Nairobi also has the largest [[Hinduism|Hindu]] population in Kenya, with 38,141 adherents, accounting for approximately 63% of the national Hindu population. Smaller proportions of the population adhere to [[traditional African religions]] (0.16%), other religions (1.07%), or report [[Irreligion|no religion or atheism]] (1.26%), with the remainder classified as don't know or not stated.

In the 2019 Census, Christianity was the most widely practiced religion in Nairobi, accounting for 89% of the population, of which the majority belong to Protestant and Evangelical churches. In 2019, Muslims were 7.6% of the population.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/kenya/admin/nairobi/47__nairobi/ |title=Religion, Nairobi: Census 2019 |publisher=citypopulation.com |access-date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712232104/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/kenya/admin/nairobi/47__nairobi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Culture ==
Nairobi is a diverse melting pot of African cultures. As a cosmopolitan African city, it hosts all the diverse tribes that make up Kenya, and hosts a large immigrant population from other African countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-04 |title=Kenya Among Countries with largest number of African immigrants – Kenyan Wall Street |url=https://kenyanwallstreet.com/kenya-among-countries-with-largest-number-of-african-immigrants/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |language=en-US |archive-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327074432/https://kenyanwallstreet.com/kenya-among-countries-with-largest-number-of-african-immigrants/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nielect.com/county_moreinfo.php?cid=46|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002062623/http://www.nielect.com/county_moreinfo.php?cid=46|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-02|title=NiElect::Be a Peace Ambassador|date=2013-10-02|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Desgroppes|first1=Amélie|last2=Taupin|first2=Sophie|date=2011-09-01|title=Kibera: The Biggest Slum in Africa?|url=http://journals.openedition.org/eastafrica/521|journal=Les Cahiers d'Afrique de l'Est / The East African Review|language=en|issue=44|pages=23–33|doi=10.4000/eastafrica.521|s2cid=16003013|issn=2071-7245|doi-access=free|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906161345/https://journals.openedition.org/eastafrica/521|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nairobi has two informal nicknames. The first is "The Green City in the Sun", which is derived from the city's foliage and warm climate.<ref>{{cite web |last=United Nations Office at Nairobi |title=The "Green City in the Sun" |publisher=unon.org |url=http://www.unon.org/karibukenya/chap2.php?page=1 |access-date=2 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928103803/http://www.unon.org/karibukenya/chap2.php?page=1 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref> The second is the "Safari Capital of the World", which is used due to Nairobi's prominence as a hub for safari tourism.<ref>{{cite web |last=Serena Hotels |title=About Nairobi, Green City in the Sun |publisher=serenahotels.com |url=http://www.serenahotels.com/kenya/nairobi/areamap.asp |access-date=2 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707161813/http://www.serenahotels.com/kenya/nairobi/areamap.asp |archive-date=7 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2026, Nairobi made it to the final for the "World Capital of Kindness" competition, beaten only by San Donato Milanese, Italy (first place).

===Literature and film===
[[File:Nairobi Cinema.jpg|thumb|The Nairobi Cinema]]

''[[Kwani?]]'' is Kenya's first literary journal and was established by writers living in Nairobi. Nairobi's publishing houses have also produced the works of some of Kenya's authors, including [[Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o]] and [[Meja Mwangi]] who were part of post-colonial writing.

Many film makers also practice their craft out of Nairobi. Film-making is still young in the country, but people like producer Njeri Karago and director Judy Kibinge are paving the way for others.

Perhaps the most famous book and film set in Nairobi is ''[[Out of Africa]]''. The book was written by [[Karen Blixen]], whose pseudonym was Isak Dinesen, and it is her account of living in [[Kenya]]. Karen Blixen lived in the Nairobi area from 1917 to 1931. The neighbourhood in which she lived, [[Karen, Kenya|Karen]], is named after her.

In 1985, ''[[Out of Africa (film)|Out of Africa]]'' was made into a film, directed by [[Sydney Pollack]]. The film won 28 awards, including seven [[Academy Awards]]. The popularity of the film prompted the opening of Nairobi's [[Karen Blixen Museum, Kenya|Karen Blixen Museum]].

Nairobi is the setting of many of the novels of [[Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o]], Kenya's foremost writer.

Nairobi has been the set of several other [[Cinema of the United States|American]] and [[British Film Industry|British]] films. The most recent of these was ''[[The Constant Gardener (film)|The Constant Gardener]]'' (2005), a large part of which was filmed in the city. The story revolves around a British diplomat in Nairobi whose wife is murdered in northern Kenya. Much of the filming was in the [[Kibera]] slum.

Among the latest Kenyan actors in Hollywood who identify with Nairobi is [[Lupita Nyong'o]]. Lupita received an Oscar award for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|best supporting actress]] in her role as Patsy in the film ''[[12 Years a Slave]]'' during the ''[[86th Academy Awards]]'' at the Dolby theatre in Los Angeles. Lupita is the daughter of Kenyan politician Peter Anyang' Nyong'o.

Most new Hollywood films are nowadays screened at Nairobi's cinemas. Up until the early 1990s, there were only a few film theatres and the repertoire was limited. There are also two [[Drive-in theater|drive-in cinemas]] in Nairobi.

In 2015 and 2016, Nairobi was the focus point for the American television series ''[[Sense8]]'' which shot its first and second seasons partly in the city. The TV series has high reviews in [[The Internet Movie Database]] (IMDb).

In 2015 Nairobi was featured in the British thriller film ''[[Eye in the Sky (2015 film)|Eye in the Sky]]'', which is a story about a lieutenant general and a colonel who faced political opposition after ordering a drone missile strike to take out a group of suicide bombers in Nairobi.

In 2017, the name "Nairobi" was taken as a code-name by a female main character in the famous Spanish TV series ''[[Money Heist]]''.

===Food===
In Nairobi, there are a range of restaurants. Besides being home to ''[[nyama choma]]'' which is a local term used to refer to roasted meat, there are American fast food restaurants such as [[KFC]], [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]], [[Domino's|Domino's Pizza]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Hardee's]] and [[Burger King]], and the longer established South African chains, [[Galito's]], [[Steers (restaurant)|Steers]], PizzaMojo, and [[Spur Steak Ranches]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/10/13223149-fast-food-finds-fans-in-sub-sahara-africa-where-obesity-problem-is-growing?lite |title=Fast food finds fans in sub-Sahara Africa, where obesity problem is growing – World News |publisher=Worldnews.nbcnews.com |access-date=12 December 2013 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116210535/http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/10/13223149-fast-food-finds-fans-in-sub-sahara-africa-where-obesity-problem-is-growing?lite |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Coffee houses, doubling up as restaurants and mostly frequented by the upper middle classes, such as Artcaffe [[Java House|Nairobi Java House]] and Dormans, have become increasingly popular in recent days. Traditional food joints such as the popular K'osewe's in the city centre and Amaica, which specialize in African delicacies, are widespread. 

The Kenchic franchise which specialized in old-school chicken and chips meals was popular, particularly among the lower classes and students, with restaurants all over the city and its suburbs. However, as of February 2016, Kenchic stopped operating its eatery business. Upscale restaurants often specialize in specific cuisines such as Italian, Lebanese, Ethiopian, and French, but are more likely to be found in five star hotels and the wealthier suburbs in the West and South of the city.

Nairobi has an annual restaurant week (NRW) at the beginning of the year, January–February. Nairobi's restaurants offer dining packages at reduced prices.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eatout.co.ke/nairobi-restaurant-week |title=Nairobi Restaurant Week 2016 |last=Kenya |first=EatOut |website=eatout.co.ke |access-date=10 April 2016 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407004913/http://eatout.co.ke/nairobi-restaurant-week |url-status=dead }}</ref> NRW is managed by Eatout Kenya which is an online platform that lists and reviews restaurants in Nairobi, and provides a platform for Kenyan foodies to congregate and share.

===Music===

Nairobi is the centre of Kenya's music scene. [[Benga music|Benga]] is a Kenyan genre which was developed in Nairobi. The style is a fusion of [[jazz]] and [[Luo (Kenya and Tanzania)|Luo]] music forms. Mugithi is another popular genre in Kenya, with its origins in the central parts of the country. A majority of music videos of leading local musicians are also filmed in the city.

In the 1970s, Nairobi became the prominent centre for [[music]] in the [[African Great Lakes]]. During this period, Nairobi was established as a hub of [[soukous]] music. This genre was originally developed in [[Kinshasa]] and [[Brazzaville]]. After the political climate in the region [[Congo Crisis|deteriorated]], many Congolese artists relocated to Nairobi. Artists such as [[Super Mazembe|Orchestra Super Mazembe]] moved from [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]] to Nairobi and found great success.<ref>{{cite web|title=Orchestra Super Mazembe |publisher=[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] |url=http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/orchestra_super_mazembe_28113 |access-date=4 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231064112/http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/orchestra_super_mazembe_28113 |archive-date=31 December 2007}}</ref> [[Virgin records]] became aware of the popularity of the genre and signed recording contracts with several soukous artists.

More recently, Nairobi has become the centre of the [[Kenyan hip hop]] scene. The genre has become very popular amongst local youth, and domestic musicians have become some of the most popular in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Revealed: The real origin of Kenyan hip hop|url=https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2000189439/revealed-the-real-origin-of-kenyan-hip-hop|last=Nyanga|first=Caroline|website=Standard Digital News|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623023917/https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2000189439/revealed-the-real-origin-of-kenyan-hip-hop|url-status=dead}}</ref> Successful artists based in Nairobi include [[Jua Cali]], [[Nonini]], [[Camp Mulla]], [[Juliani]], [[Eric Wainaina (musician)|Eric Wainaina]], and [[David Mathenge|Nameless]]. Popular record labels include [[Ogopa DJs]] and [[Calif Records]].

Nairobi, including the coastal towns of Mombasa and Diani, have recently become the centre of [[Electronic dance music|EDM]] in Kenya, producing DJs as well as producers like [[DJ Fita]].

Many nightclubs in and around the city have witnessed a growth in the population that exclusively listen to Electronic Dance Music, especially amongst the younger generations.{{POV statement|date=December 2012}} Gospel music is also popular in Nairobi just as in the rest of Kenya, with gospel artists having a great impact in the mostly Christian city.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} 

Musical group [[Sauti Sol]] performed for U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] when he was in the city for the 2015 [[Global Entrepreneurship Summit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ges2015.org/|title=GES 2015 IS COMING|website=GES 2015 – Global Entrepreneurship Summit|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-date=26 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726033400/http://www.ges2015.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:Nyayo_stadium_from_above.jpg|thumb|[[Nyayo National Stadium]]]]
Nairobi is the African Great Lakes region's sporting centre. Notable annual events staged in Nairobi include [[Safari Rally]], [[Safari Sevens]] [[rugby union]] tournament, and [[Nairobi Marathon]].

=== Facilities ===
The premier sports facility in Nairobi and generally in Kenya is the [[Moi International Sports Centre]] in the suburb of Kasarani. The complex was completed in 1987, and was used to host the 1987 [[All Africa Games]]. The complex comprises a 60,000 seater stadium, the second largest in the African Great Lakes (after Tanzania's new national stadium), a 5,000 seater gymnasium, and a 2,000 seater aquatics centre.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moi International Sports Centre |publisher=Stadia |url=http://www.stadiumskenya.co.ke/default2.asp?active_page_id=835 |access-date=4 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614004430/http://www.stadiumskenya.co.ke/default2.asp?active_page_id=835 |archive-date=14 June 2008 }}</ref>

The [[Nyayo National Stadium]] is Nairobi's second largest stadium renowned for hosting global rugby event under the "Safaricom Sevens". Completed in 1983, the stadium has a capacity of 30,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nyayo National Stadium Facilities |publisher=Stadia |url=http://www.stadiumskenya.co.ke/default2.asp?active_page_id=836 |access-date=4 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614004434/http://www.stadiumskenya.co.ke/default2.asp?active_page_id=836 |archive-date=14 June 2008 }}
</ref> This stadium is primarily used for [[Association football|football]]. The facility is located close to the Central Business District, which makes it a convenient location for political gatherings.

[[Nairobi City Stadium]] is Nairobi's first stadium, and used for club football.

[[Nairobi Gymkhana Club|Nairobi Gymkhana]] is the home of the [[Kenyan cricket team]], and was a venue for the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]].

Ulinzi Sports Complex was officially opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022 after its construction that started in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-28 |title=President Kenyatta commissions the construction of Ulinzi Sports Complex |url=https://www.citizen.digital/sports/president-kenyatta-commissions-construction-ulinzi-sports-complex-349305 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}</ref> It has a capacity of 7,500, an 8-lane Athletics track, training grounds and an indoor arena.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-13 |title=Uhuru opens Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/other-sports/president-kenyatta-arrives-langata-opening-ulinzi-sports-complex-3780644 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

Dandora Stadium, a 4,000 capacity stadium opened in 2024, hosts some of the top flight national league football tournaments. The stadium has seats in the VIP section and regular stands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dandora Stadium finally opens after six year wait |url=https://www.michezoafrika.com/news/dandora-stadium-finally-opens-after-six-year-wait/29748 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=www.michezoafrika.com |language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Pulse |date=2025-02-11 |title=Dandora Stadium: Why Nairobi's now beloved football facility risks going City Stadium & Camp Toyoyo's way |url=https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/football/story/dandora-stadium-why-nairobis-now-beloved-football-facility-risks-going-city-stadium-and-camp-toyoyos-way-2025021113364382678 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Pulse Sports Kenya |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New look: Governor Sakaja to open Dandora Stadium today |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-03-08-new-look-governor-sakaja-to-open-dandora-stadium-today |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref>

[[Talanta Sports Stadium]], with a capacity of 60,000, is currently under construction with an estimated completion date of February 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11 |title=President Ruto gives Talanta Stadium works thumbs up |url=https://www.citizen.digital/sports/president-ruto-gives-talanta-stadium-works-thumbs-up-n360865 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anyanzwa |first=James |date=2025-05-21 |title=CMA okays Sh47bn fundraising for Talanta Sports stadium |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/markets/capital-markets/cma-okays-sh47bn-fundraising-for-talanta-sports-stadium-5051370 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Business Daily |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-10 |title=Talanta City Sports Stadium will cost Sh44.7bn to build |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/talanta-city-sports-stadium-will-cost-sh44-7bn-to-build-4998540 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

=== Football ===
[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in the city by viewership and participation. This is highlighted by the number of football clubs in the city, including [[Kenyan Premier League]] sides [[Gor Mahia F.C.|Gor Mahia]], [[A.F.C. Leopards]] Sports Club, [[Tusker F.C.|Tusker F. C.]] and [[Mathare United F.C.|Mathare United]].

Kenya, together with Tanzania and Uganda will be cohosting the 2025 [[African Nations Championship|CHAN]] competition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-08 |title=Kenya Wins Big: Hosting CHAN 2025 & AFCON 2027! – Ghetto Radio |url=https://ghettoradio.co.ke/kenya-wins-big-hosting-chan-2025-afcon-2027/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=ghettoradio.co.ke |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=CHAN 2024: Kenya confident country will remain as co-host for tournament |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9dpeqgx7q3o |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Also, the three countries will jointly host the 2027 [[Africa Cup of Nations|AFCON]] football competition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-27 |title=Kenya Wins Joint Bid to Host 2027 AFCON With Tanzania & Uganda – Kenyans.co.ke |url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/93347-kenya-wins-bid-host-2027-afcon-alongside-tanzania-uganda |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=www.kenyans.co.ke |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |date=2023-09-27 |title=Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania To Host AFCON 2027 |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/09/28791/kenya-uganda-tanzania-to-host-afcon-2027/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Morocco World News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-27 |title=East Africa Wins Joint Bid to Host the Africa Cup of Nations |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/east-africa-wins-joint-bid-to-host-the-africa-cup-of-nations-/7287692.html |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>

=== Golf ===
There are several [[golf course]]s within a 20&nbsp;km radius of Nairobi.<ref>{{cite web
  |title=Golf in Kenya with Tobs Kenya Golf Safaris
  |publisher=kenya-golf-safaris.com
  |url=http://www.kenya-golf-safaris.com/html/golf_in_kenya.html
  |access-date=4 November 2007
  |archive-date=5 November 2007
  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105015914/http://www.kenya-golf-safaris.com/html/golf_in_kenya.html
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The oldest 18-hole golf course in the city is the Royal Nairobi Golf Club. It was established in 1906 by the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]], just seven years after the city was founded. Other notable golf clubs include the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, Karen Country Club, VetLab Sports Club, Golf Park Golf Club, Kenya Railways Golf Club, Sigona Golf Club and Muthaiga Golf Club.

The [[Kenya Open]] golf tournament, which is part of the [[European Tour]], takes place in Nairobi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-17 |title=Explainer: All you need to know about the Kenya Open |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/golf/explainer-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-kenya-open-4929486 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

=== Equestrian Sports ===
The [[Ngong Racecourse]] in Nairobi is the centre of [[thoroughbred racing|horse racing]] in Kenya.<ref>The Standard, 3 April 2009: [http://www.eastandard.net/sports/InsidePage.php?id=1144010681&cid=143& Kenya Derby is main Jockey Club of Kenya event] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113093505/http://www.eastandard.net/sports/InsidePage.php?id=1144010681&cid=143& |date=13 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mwangi |first=Nick |date=2025-05-13 |title=Kenya's Growing Equestrian Scene: From Polo Fields to Racing Tracks |url=https://nairobiwire.com/2025/05/kenyas-growing-equestrian-scene-from-polo-fields-to-racing-tracks.html |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Nairobi Wire |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Kenya Open Polo tournament and other polo games are often hosted at the Nairobi Polo Club.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-04 |title=Nairobi club lays ground for most prestigious event in over a century |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/basketball/nairobi-club-lays-ground-for-most-prestigious-event-in-over-a-century--737356 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>

The Horse Association of Kenya offices are located in Nairobi, at Racecourse.

=== Rugby ===
Rugby is a popular sport in Nairobi with 8 of the 12 top flight clubs based here.

[[Rugby Football Union of East Africa|The Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA)]] is hosted in Nairobi.

=== Basketball ===
Basketball is a popular sport played in the city's primary, Secondary and college leagues. Many of the city's urban youth are basketball fans and watch the American [[National Basketball Association|NBA]].

=== Marathons ===
Nairobi often hosts a number of marathons including:

* Nairobi City Marathon
* Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

== Places of worship ==
[[File:Holy Family Basilica (Nairobi, Kenya) 02.JPG|thumb|upright|The Basilica of the Holy Family in Nairobi]]
The [[places of worship]] are predominantly [[Christianity|Christian]] churches and temples: [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi]] ([[Catholic Church]]), [[Anglican Church of Kenya]] ([[Anglican Communion]]), [[Presbyterian Church of East Africa]] ([[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]), [[Baptist Convention of Kenya]] ([[Baptist World Alliance]]), and [[Assemblies of God]].<ref>J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 1626</ref> There are also [[Islam|Muslim]] mosques including [[Jamia Mosque (Kenya)|Jamia Mosque]].

==Education==
The majority of schools follow the Kenyan Competence Based Education (CBE). Nairobi Innovation Week (NIW) is an annual that was started in 2015. It is organized by the University of Nairobi and in collaboration with government agencies. It focuses on partnerships, innovations, incubation, and startups. It promotes an entrepreneurial culture. It is an event for local and international innovators to showcase innovations, and to network.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://niw.uonbi.ac.ke/ |title=Nairobi Innovation Week |publisher=University of Nairobi |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uonbi.ac.ke/content/nairobi-innovation-week-2024 |title=Nairobi Innovation Week 2024 |publisher=University of Nairobi |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>

===Higher education===
[[File:Universityofnairobi2.jpg|thumb|The [[University of Nairobi]]]]
Nairobi is home to several Universities and Colleges.
* The [[University of Nairobi]] is the largest and oldest university in Kenya. It was established in 1956, as part of the [[University of East Africa]], but became an independent university in 1970. The university has approximately 84,000 students.<ref name="uonbi.ac.ke">{{cite web|url=http://uonbi.ac.ke/node/4315|title=University of Nairobi Factfile |publisher=University of Nairobi |access-date=18 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035948/http://uonbi.ac.ke/node/4315|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Kenyatta University]] is situated {{convert|16|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Nairobi on the Nairobi road Thika dual carriageway on {{convert|1100|acre|ha|order=flip}} of land. The university was chartered in 1985, offering mainly education-related courses, but has since diversified, offering medicine, environmental studies, engineering, law, business, statistics, agriculture, and economics. It has a student body of about 32,000, the bulk of whom (17,000) are in the main campus. It is one of the fastest-growing public universities.
* [[Strathmore University]] started in 1961 as an [[Advanced Level (UK)]] Sixth Form College offering Science and Arts subjects. The college started to admit accountancy students in March 1966, and thus became a university. In January 1993, Strathmore College merged with Kianda College and moved to Ole Sangale Road, Madaraka Estate, Nairobi.
* [[United States International University|United States International University – Nairobi]] was originally a branch of the [[United States International University]], but became a fully autonomous university in 2005. It was first established in 1969. The university has accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, in the US, and the Government of Kenya. It is located in a quiet west side location of Roysambu area north-central Nairobi opposite the Safari Park Hotel.
* In 2005, The [[Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi|Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi]] was upgraded to a health sciences teaching hospital, providing post graduate education in medicine and surgery including nursing education, henceforth renamed the Aga Khan University Hospital.
* The [[Catholic University of Eastern Africa]] located in Lang'ata suburb, obtained its "Letter of Interim Authority" in 1989. Following negotiations between the Authority of the Graduate School of Theology and the Commission for Higher Education (CHIEA), the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences was established three years later, culminating in the granting of the Civil Charter to CHIEA on 3 November 1992.
* [[Technical University of Kenya|The Technical University of Kenya]] (formerly Kenya Polytechnic) is the only [[Institute of technology|Technical University]] in the country. Established in 1961 as the Kenya Technical Institute, the university was chartered by [[Mwai Kibaki]] in 2013 to become an independent institution of higher learning (It was previously a constituent college of the University of Nairobi). It offers highly technical degree courses in three faculties: Engineering and Built Environment, Applied Sciences and Technologies, and Social Sciences and Technologies.
* [[KCA University]] (formerly the Kenya College of Accountancy), located in Ruaraka.
* [[Pan African Christian University]] is located along Lumumba Drive, Roysambu.
* East Africa Institute of Certified Studies (well known as ICS College) is located at Stanbank House with branches in Mombasa and Kisumu.
* Compugoal College
* Pioneer International University in Ngara.
* [[Riara University]] on Mbagathi road.
* Multimedia University of Kenya
* [[Daystar University|Daystar university]] 
* [[Africa International University]] 
* Cooperative university of Kenya   Islamic University of Kenya

Numerous other universities have opened satellite campuses in Nairobi. The Railways Training Institute established in 1956, is a notable institution of higher learning with a campus in Nairobi.

==Infrastructure==
===Transport===
[[File:Syokimau Railway Station.jpg|thumb|Syokimau Railway Station]]
Major plans are being implemented in the need to decongest the city's traffic and the completion of [[Thika Road]] has given the city a much needed face-lift attributed to road's enhancement of global standards. Several projects have been completed, such as Syokimau Rail Station, the Eastern and Northern Bypasses, while numerous other projects are still underway.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-27 |title=How to get to Syokimau Railway Station in Embakasi by Bus? |url=https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Syokimau_Railway_Station-Nairobi-site_34921496-3540 |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=moovitapp.com |language=en-KE |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211180228/https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Syokimau_Railway_Station-Nairobi-site_34921496-3540 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The development of these critical transport facilities will, besides reducing transport costs due to faster movement of goods and people within the region, also increase trade, improve the socio-economic welfare of Northern Kenya and boost the country's potential in attracting investments from all over the world.

====Airports====
[[File:Nairobi Arrivals Terminal.jpg|thumb|[[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport]]]]
[[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport]] is the largest airport in Kenya. Domestic travellers made up 40% of overall passengers in 2016, an increase of 32% since 2012. JKIA had more than 7 million passengers pass through it in 2016. In February 2017, JKIA received a Category One Status from the [[FAA]], boosting the airport's status as a Regional Aviation hub.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001232614/aviation-sector-in-new-high-as-passenger-numbers-hit-record-10-million|title=Aviation sector in new high as passenger numbers hit record 10 million|first=Frankline|last=Sunday|access-date=4 May 2017|archive-date=14 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314073709/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001232614/aviation-sector-in-new-high-as-passenger-numbers-hit-record-10-million|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Wilson Airport]] is a general-aviation airport handling smaller aircraft, mostly propeller-driven. In July 2016, construction of a new air traffic control tower commenced at a cost of KES 163 million (approximately US$1.63 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000210004/wilson-airport-builds-sh163m-tower-amidst-land-grabbing-claims|title=Wilson Airport builds Sh163m tower amidst land grabbing claims|first=Peter|last=Muiruri|access-date=4 May 2017|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905174300/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000210004/wilson-airport-builds-sh163m-tower-amidst-land-grabbing-claims|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Moi Air Base]] is a military airport. In its earlier years, it was utilised as a landing strip in the pre-[[jet aircraft|jet]] airline era. It was mostly used as a British passenger and mail route from [[Southampton]] to [[Cape Town]] in the 1930s and 1940s. This route was served by [[flying boat]]s between Britain and [[Kisumu]] and then by land-based aircraft on the routes to the south.

====Matatu====
[[File:A matatu.jpg|thumb|A matatu]]
{{main|Matatu}}

Matatus are the most common form of public transport in Nairobi. [[Matatu]], which literally translates to "three cents for a ride" (nowadays much more) are privately owned minibuses.<ref>{{cite web |last=United Nations Offices Nairobi Interns |title=How to get around Nairobi |publisher=interns.unon.org |url=http://interns.unon.org/index%206.1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203075002/http://interns.unon.org/index%206.1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 February 2007 |access-date=5 July 2007 }}</ref> They generally seat 14 to 33 riders. Matatus operate within Nairobi, its environs and suburbs and from Nairobi to other towns around the country.<ref name="uonbi.ac.ke"/> The matatu's route is imprinted along a yellow stripe on the side of the bus, and matatus plying specific routes have specific route numbers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crackdown hits Kenyan commuters|publisher=BBC|date=2 February 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3450777.stm|access-date=3 July 2006|archive-date=2 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040402081250/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3450777.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004, a [[Seat belt legislation|law was passed, requiring all matatus to include seat belts]], [[speed governor]]s and to be painted with a yellow stripe.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crackdown hits Kenyan commuters|publisher=BBC|date=2 February 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3450777.stm|access-date=3 July 2006|archive-date=2 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040402081250/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3450777.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> At first, this caused a furore amongst Matatu operators, but they were pressured by government and the public to make the changes. Matatus are now limited to {{convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.

In November 2014 President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the ban on the yellow stripe and allowed matatus to maintain the colourful graphics in an effort to support the youth in creating employment. Matatus in Nairobi were easily distinguishable by their extravagant paint schemes, as owners would paint their matatu with various colourful decorations, such as their favourite [[association football|football]] team or [[hip hop music|hip hop]] artist. They are notorious for their poor safety records, which are a result of overcrowding and reckless driving.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Kendrick |date=2019-09-20 |title=Matatus, Mototaxis, and More: Paratransit and Inequality |url=https://hir.harvard.edu/matatus-mototaxis-and-more/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Harvard International Review |language=en}}</ref> Due to the intense competition between matatus, many are equipped inside with powerful sound systems and television sets to attract more customers.

====Buses====
[[File:Nairobi Public Transport.jpg|thumb|Public transport in Nairobi]]
Buses are increasingly becoming common in the city with some even going to the extents of installing complimentary WiFi systems in partnership with the leading mobile service provider. There are four major bus companies operating the city routes and are the traditional Kenya Bus Service (KBS), and newer private operators Citi Hoppa, Compliant MOA and Double M. The Citi Hoppa buses are distinguishable by their green livery, the Double M buses are painted purple, Compliant MOA by their distinctively screaming names and mix of white, blue colours while the KBS buses are painted blue.

Companies such as Easy Coach, Guardian Angel, Transline, Tahmeed, NorthWest, Kisii Classic and Ena coach scheduled buses and luxury coaches to other cities and towns.

A [[Bus rapid transit]] will commence operating with 100 high capacity buses along [[Thika Road]] in July 2022 between [[Kasarani]] and the [[Kenyatta National Hospital]]. After the pilot, Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata) will implement another 300 buses as the first phase that will expand the BRT line to run from [[Ruiru]] to Kenyatta National Hospital. A second phase will later extend the line to run between Kenol in [[Murang'a County]] to [[Ongata Rongai]] in [[Kajiado County]].

====Trains====
[[File:Nairobi Terminus.jpg|thumb|[[Nairobi Terminus]]]]
Nairobi was founded as a [[railway town]], and the main headquarters of [[Kenya Railways|Kenya Railways (KR)]] is still situated at [[Nairobi railway station]], which is located near the city centre. The line runs through Nairobi, from [[Mombasa]] to [[Kampala]]. Its main use is freight traffic connecting Nairobi to Mombasa and [[Kisumu]]. A number of morning and evening commuter [[Nairobi rail service|trains]] connect the centre with the suburbs, but the city has no proper light rail, tramway, or rapid transit lines. A proposal has been passed for the construction of a commuter rail line. 

In November 2012, President [[Mwai Kibaki]] launched the Syokimau Rail Service, marking a major milestone in the history of railway development in Kenya. The opening of the station marked another milestone in efforts to realise various projects envisaged under the Vision 2030 Economic Blueprint. The new station has a train that ferries passengers from [[Syokimau]] to the city centre cutting travel time by half. 

The opening of the station marks the completion of the first phase of the Sh24b Nairobi Commuter Rail Network that is geared at easing traffic congestion in Nairobi, blamed for huge economic losses. Other modern stations include Imara Daima Railway Station and Makadara Railway Station.

The new [[Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway]] connects the port city of Mombasa and Nairobi. The new railway line has virtually replaced the old metre-gauge railway. The [[Nairobi Terminus]] is located at [[Syokimau]], some 20&nbsp;km from the city centre. Passengers travelling from Mombasa are transferred the short distance into the CBD with the metre-gauge trains.

====Roads====
[[File:The A104 heading to Nairobi CBD.jpg|thumb|The A104 heading to Nairobi CBD]]

Two trans-African automobile routes pass through Nairobi: the [[Cairo-Cape Town Highway]] and the [[Lagos-Mombasa Highway]]. Nairobi is served by highways that link Mombasa to Kampala in Uganda and Arusha in Tanzania. These are earmarked to ease the daily motor traffic within and surrounding the metro area. However, driving in Nairobi is chaotic. Most of the roads are tarmacked and there are signs showing directions to certain neighbourhoods. 

Nairobi is connected to the [[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport]] by the Mombasa Highway, which passes through Industrial Area, South B, South C and Embakasi. [[Ongata Rongai]], Langata and Karen are connected to the city centre by Langata Road, which runs to the south. Lavington, Riverside, and Westlands are connected by Waiyaki Way. Kasarani, Eastlands, and Embakasi are connected by [[Thika Road]], Jogoo Road, and Outer Ring Road.

Highways connect the city with other major towns such as Mombasa, Machakos, Voi, (A109), [[Eldoret]], [[Kisumu]], [[Nakuru]], [[Naivasha]], and Namanga Border Tanzania (A104).

Nairobi is undergoing major road constructions to update its infrastructure network. The new system of roads, flyovers, and bridges are intended to better cope with high traffic levels. It is also a major component of Kenya's Vision 2030 and Nairobi Metropolis plans. Most roads now are well lit and surfaced with adequate signage.

In 2020, the construction of The [[Nairobi Expressway]] began. The Nairobi expressway is a 27&nbsp;km toll road connecting the Eastern Nairobi neighbourhood of Mulolongo to the uptown neighbourhood of Westlands at James Gichuru junction through Nairobi CBD. The road is directly to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport enabling travellers to access the airport faster avoiding the heavy traffic on Mombasa Road and Waiyaki Way. The road has an 11.025&nbsp;km elevated section between Airtel Center and Westlands.

This road, is intended to ease traffic from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport that accesses Nairobi city centre. Also traffic from Central Nairobi is expected to be facilitated, to reduce the number of departing passengers who miss their fights, while stuck in road traffic jams on the city streets.[5] The work involves expansion of the existing road to four-lanes one-way, (8 lanes total), with foot paths, drainage channels, overpass bridges and street lighting. It was opened to the public in May 2022.

====Private car population projection for Nairobi====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! YEAR !! 2004 !! 2010 !! 2015 !! 2025
|-
| '''Number of private cars''' || 207,339 || 327,366  || 486,207 || 716,138<ref>{{cite web |author1=Mairura Omwenga |title=Integrated Transport System for Liveable City Environment: A Case Study of Nairobi Kenya |url=http://www.isocarp.net/data/case_studies/2022.pdf |website=www.isocarp.net |access-date=6 May 2017 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194404/http://www.isocarp.net/data/case_studies/2022.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

===Water supply and sanitation===
{{Further|Water supply and sanitation in Nairobi}}
94% of the piped water supply for Nairobi comes from rivers and reservoirs in the [[Aberdare Range]] north of the city, of which the reservoir of the [[Thika Dam]] is the most important one. Water distribution losses – technically called [[non-revenue water]] – are 40%, and only 40% of those with house connections receive water continuously. Slum residents receive water through [[water kiosk]]s and end up paying much higher water prices than those fortunate enough to have access to piped water at their residence.

===Housing===

There is a wide variety of housing options in Nairobi. The options range from privately owned housing units/apartments, rented units, leased spaces and even houses on mortgage. Most wealthy Kenyans live in Nairobi, but the majority of Nairobians are of average and low income. Half of the population has been estimated to live in [[slum]]s which cover just 5% of the city area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalurban.org/Issue1PIMag05/Sheehan%20article.htm |title=Where the Sidewalks End |publisher=Globalurban.org |date=11 September 2001 |access-date=18 October 2010}}</ref> The growth of these slums is a result of urbanisation, poor town planning, lack of good governance and proper leadership in these settlements and lack of empowerment and social capital among other factors.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mutisya |first1=Emmanuel |last2=Yarime |first2=Masaru |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1363074369 |title=Understanding the Grassroots Dynamics of Slums in Nairobi: The Dilemma of Kibera Informal Settlements |date=2011 |oclc=1363074369}}</ref>

[[File:Nairobi Kibera 04.JPG|thumb|A view of [[Kibera]], Nairobi]]
[[Kibera]] is one of the largest slums in Africa,<ref>{{cite news |last=BBC News |title=Living amidst the rubbish of Kenya's slum |publisher=news.bbc.co.uk/ |date=20 September 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4261846.stm |access-date=25 August 2008 |archive-date=8 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208140747/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4261846.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and is situated to the west of Nairobi. (Kibera comes from the Nubian word Kibra, meaning "forest" or "jungle").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=62409 |title=IRIN In-Depth &#124; KENYA: Kibera, The Forgotten City &#124; East Africa &#124; Kenya &#124; Environment Urban Risk &#124; In-Depth |publisher=Irinnews.org |access-date=18 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612222344/http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=62409 |archive-date=12 June 2011 }}</ref> The slums cover two square kilometres<ref>{{cite web |last=CSG Kibera |title=What is Kibera? |publisher=www.csgkibera.org/ |url=http://www.csgkibera.org/ |access-date=25 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821110141/http://www.csgkibera.org/ |archive-date=21 August 2008 }}</ref> and are on government land. Kibera has been the setting for several films, the most recent being ''[[The Constant Gardener (film)|The Constant Gardener]]''.

Other notable slums include [[Mathare]] and [[Korogocho]]. Altogether, 66 areas are counted as slums within Nairobi.<ref>{{cite web |title=The slums of Nairobi: explaining urban misery |publisher=encyclopedia.com |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-150852093.html |access-date=2 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323110512/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-150852093.html |archive-date=23 March 2008 }}</ref>

Many Nairobi non-slum-dwellers live in relatively good housing conditions. Large houses can be found in many of the upmarket neighbourhoods, especially to the west of Nairobi. Middle and high income estates include [[Gigiri]], [[Muthaiga]], [[Langata]] and [[Karen, Kenya|Karen]]. Other middle and high income estates include [[Parklands, Nairobi|Parklands]], [[Westlands, Nairobi|Westlands]], Hurlingham, Kilimani, Milimani, Spring Valley, Lavington, Rosslyn, Kitisuru, and Nairobi Hill.

To accommodate the growing middle class, many new apartments and housing developments are being built in and around the city. The most notable development is ''Greenpark'', at [[Athi River (town)|Athi River]], [[Machakos County]] {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Nairobi's Central Business District. Over 5,000 houses, villas and apartments are being constructed at this development, including leisure, retail and commercial facilities.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kenya Engineer |title=Housing estate being developed at Stoney Athi |publisher=kenyaengineer.com |url=http://www.kenyaengineer.com/newsdetails.php?NewsID=314&AuthorID=45&CountryID=7&NewsTypeID=16&IssueID=36 |access-date=2 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014062115/http://www.kenyaengineer.com/newsdetails.php?NewsID=314&AuthorID=45&CountryID=7&NewsTypeID=16&IssueID=36 |archive-date=14 October 2007 }}</ref> The development is being marketed to families, as are most others within the city. Eastlands also houses most of the city's middle class and includes [[South C]], [[South B]], [[Embakasi]], [[Buru Buru]], Komarock, Donholm, Umoja, Saika, Ruai, Kasarani  and various others.

==Crime and law enforcement==
Crime levels and safety have very much improved in Nairobi over recent years. Violent crime is rare but petty crime can still be an issue. In general, petty crime in Nairobi mostly involves pickpocketing and theft, and on rare occasions can be confrontational. Although there have been a handful of isolated attacks in Kenya by Al Shaabab from neighbouring Somalia, these incidences are rare.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nomads |first=World |date=2016-11-04 |title=Is Kenya Safe for Travelers? 10 Things I Wish I Knew |url=https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/africa/kenya/the-realities-of-kenya-crime |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=www.worldnomads.com |language=en |archive-date=11 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211142740/https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/africa/kenya/the-realities-of-kenya-crime |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Media==
[[File:Nation Center.jpg|thumb|[[File:Nairobi Kenya Joecalih.jpg|thumb]]|alt=Nation Media Group|185x185px]]

Nairobi is home to most of Kenya's news and media organisations. The city is also home to the region's largest newspapers: the ''[[Daily Nation]]'' and ''[[The Standard (Kenya)|The Standard]]''. These are circulated within Kenya and cover a range of domestic and regional issues. Both newspapers are published in English. People Daily is also the leading free newspaper distributed on the streets of Nairobi. It is published by Mediamax Limited.

[[Kenya Broadcasting Corporation]], a state-run television and radio station, is headquartered in the city. [[Kenya Television Network]] is part of the Standard Group and was Kenya's first privately owned TV station. The Nation Media Group runs NTV which is based in Nairobi, The Royal Media Services (RMS). There are also a number of prominent radio stations located in Kenya's capital including Citizen radio, Inooro fm, KISS 100, Capital FM, East FM, Kameme FM, Metro FM, and Family FM, among others.

Several multinational media organisations have their regional headquarters in Nairobi. These include the [[BBC]], [[CNN]], [[Agence France-Presse]], [[Reuters]], [[Deutsche Welle]], and the [[Associated Press]]. The East African bureau of [[CNBC Africa]] is located in Nairobi's city centre, while the Nairobi bureau of ''[[The New York Times]]'' is located in the suburb of Gigiri. The broadcast headquarters of [[CCTV News#CCTV Africa|CCTV Africa]] are located in Nairobi.<ref name=xinhuanet>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/special/2014-05/12/c_133325883.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513040114/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/special/2014-05/12/c_133325883.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 May 2014 |title=Chinese Premier Li visits African branch of CCTV |publisher=xinhuanet |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=8 February 2015}}</ref>

==Notable people==
[[File:Mariga.jpg|thumb|upright|[[McDonald Mariga Wanyama]]]]
* [[Ishmael Awange]] (born 1989), basketball player
* [[Dvora Bochman]] (born 1950), Israeli artist, painter, sculptor, graphic designer and art educator
* [[Elsa Conrad]] (1887–1963),  German businesswoman and night club entrepreneur
* [[Richard Dawkins]] (born 1941), British evolutionary biologist
* [[Roshanara Ebrahim]] (born 1993), TV host, model, author and beauty pageant titleholder
* [[Chris Froome]] (born 1985), born in Nairobi, British professional cyclist 4x [[Tour de France]] Winner
* [[Edi Gathegi]] (born 1979), actor
* [[Fena Gitu]] (born 1991), rapper
* [[Polly Irungu]], photographer and journalist
* [[Pamela Jelimo]] (born 1989), Olympic champion runner
* [[Wanuri Kahiu]] (born 1980), film director, producer, and author
* [[Mike Kirkland (rally driver)|Mike Kirkland]] (born 1947), rally driver
* [[Prosper Masatu Makonya]], Tanzanian sportsperson
* [[Susan Murabana]], astronomer
* [[Alice Wairimu Nderitu]] (born 1968), human rights activist, and  United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide to UN Secretary-General
* [[Dorothy Ooko]], activist and technology professional
* [[Aaron Rimbui]] (born 1979), pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, producer, festival curator, and radio host<ref>{{cite web |title=Aaron Kimathi Rimbui (Kenya) – Safaricom International Jazz Festival |url=http://plus.yellowsubmarine.org.il/2014.musicshowcaseil.com/?page_id=2342 |website=plus.yellowsubmarine.org.il |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416041453/http://plus.yellowsubmarine.org.il/2014.musicshowcaseil.com/?page_id=2342 |archive-date=16 April 2016}}</ref>
* [[Njeri Rionge]] (1966–2023) , technology entrepreneur who was a co-founder of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Wananchi Online Limited (WOL)
* [[Johnny Rozsa]], photographer
* [[Israel Somen]] (1903–1984), [[Mayor of Nairobi]]
* [[Abdi Salim]] (born 2001), Somali footballer
* [[Carl Tundo]] (born 1973), rally driver
* [[Jeremy Wahome]] (born 1998), racing driver
* [[McDonald Mariga Wanyama]], retired footballer
* [[Victor Wanyama]] (born 1991), footballer

== Pop culture ==
''[[Rise and Fall of Idi Amin]]'', also referred to as, ''Amin: The Rise and Fall'', is a 1981 biographical film by Sharad Patel. The movie details the controversial actions and atrocities of the once dictator of [[Uganda]], [[Idi Amin]], in the time of his violent rise to power in 1971 until he descends in 1979 as the result of Uganda–[[Tanzania]] uprising. The movie depicts some of the roles Nairobi as the political hub of Kenya served in opposing the Ugandan dictator, including the coordination between [[Tel Aviv]] and Nairobi during [[Operation Entebbe|operation Entebe]].

In 2012, a Kenyan [[drama film]] directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga named ''[[Nairobi Half Life]]'' came to the big screen. The film was selected as the Kenyan entry for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Oscar]] at the [[85th Academy Awards]], but did not make the final shortlist, and is the first time Kenya has submitted a film in this category.<ref name="Oscars">{{cite news |last=Vourlias |first=Christopher |date=26 September 2012 |title=Kenya chooses 'Life' for Oscar contest |work=Variety |publisher=Reed Business Information |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/awards/kenya-chooses-life-for-oscar-contest-1118059881/ |access-date=27 September 2012 |archive-date=6 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006200720/https://variety.com/2012/film/awards/kenya-chooses-life-for-oscar-contest-1118059881/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nairobi inspired the nicknaming of the character Ágata Jiménez as [[Nairobi (Money Heist)|'Nairobi']]''';''' a fictional character in the [[Netflix]] series ''[[Money Heist]]'', portrayed by [[Alba Flores]]. She serves as the quality manager of the group, in charge of printing money in the [[Royal Mint of Spain]] in parts 1 and 2, and overseeing the melting of gold in the [[Bank of Spain]] in parts 3 and 4. She is widely considered to be the show's most popular character.<ref name="Alba">{{cite web |title=PERSONAJES 'LA CASA DE PAPEL' – LOS ATRACADORES – Alba Flores es Nairobi |date=31 March 2017 |url=https://www.antena3.com/series/casa-de-papel/personajes/alba-flores-nairobi_2017033058de6fcf0cf2f2c8754dce89.html |access-date=15 April 2020 |publisher=antena3.com |language=es |archive-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414203439/https://www.antena3.com/series/casa-de-papel/personajes/alba-flores-nairobi_2017033058de6fcf0cf2f2c8754dce89.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Twin towns and sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Kenya}}
Nairobi is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Report: Second County Assembly – Third Session|url=https://nairobiassembly.go.ke/ncca/wp-content/uploads/hansard/2019/20th-November-2019.pdf|publisher=Nairobi|date=2019-11-20|access-date=2021-08-03|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032129/https://nairobiassembly.go.ke/ncca/wp-content/uploads/hansard/2019/20th-November-2019.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|ETH}} [[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethiopia: Addis' sister cities, historical ties|url=http://tuckmagazine.com/2018/12/11/ethiopia-addis-sister-cities/|publisher=Tuck Magazine|date=2018-12-11|access-date=2021-08-03|archive-date=12 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012065622/http://tuckmagazine.com/2018/12/11/ethiopia-addis-sister-cities/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Cape Town]], South Africa<ref name="International agreements City of Cape Town">{{cite web |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/External-relations/sister-cities-partnership-agreements |title=Sister cities partnership agreements |access-date=20 March 2020 |publisher=City of Cape Town |archive-date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704014201/https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/External-relations/sister-cities-partnership-agreements |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Denver]], United States
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Kunming]], China
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lowell, Massachusetts|Lowell]], United States<ref>{{cite web|title=Across globe, building bridges|url=https://www.lowellsun.com/2012/06/03/across-globe-building-bridges-2/|website=lowellsun.com|publisher=The Sun|date=2012-06-03|access-date=2021-08-03|archive-date=28 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728105531/https://www.lowellsun.com/2012/06/03/across-globe-building-bridges-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], United States
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]], Brazil<ref>{{cite web|title=Declara cidades – irmas, São Luis e Nairobi. (de autoria da vereadora Rose Sales, projeto de lei nº 214/2011) – publicada (15.12.2016)|url=https://www.camara.slz.br/download/publicada-15-12-2016-10/|website=camara.slz.br|publisher=São Luís|language=pt|date=2017-03-04|access-date=2021-08-03|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604164754/https://www.camara.slz.br/download/publicada-15-12-2016-10/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Nairobi}}
{{Commons category|Nairobi}}
[https://nairobipostalcode.org/ Nairobi Postal Codes] – Complete directory of all 45 post offices and postal codes in Nairobi
[https://www.posta.co.ke/ Posta Kenya] – Official Kenya Postal Corporation website

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